Beautiful Scandalous Night

We sang this in church Sunday. As we sang, I was fascinated by the thought-provoking imagery of the lyrics, but not immediately drawn to the song itself. By the time we finished it, however, I knew this song necessitated further meditation. The first run-through just isn't enough to convey the depth of the message that I recognized this song had to offer. So I came home, found it online, listened to it a few times, and haven't been able to get it out of my head all week. The juxtaposition of such paradoxical but true descriptors has really caused me to consider the cross at yet another level. I wanted to share this song in the hopes that others will experience this, as well. Don't just listen to it once! It requires repetition to grasp its full significance!


Beautiful Scandalous Night

Lyrics by Steve Hindalong; music by Derri Daugherty

Download the file here

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide.
Kneel down on the shore,
Be thirsty no more,
Go under and be purified.

Follow Christ to the holy mountain,
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall.
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flows
For you and for me and for all.

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night, you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night.

On the hillside, you will be delivered,
At the foot of the cross justified,
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side.

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night, you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night.

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide.
Kneel down on the shore,
Be thirsty no more,
Go under and be purified.

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night, you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night.