Jesus och Pelikanen
Lina had to say goodbye to the graves of many friends and relatives during her life. Although sad, she saw God's grace. The person did not have to suffer any more.
One spring day 1889, Princess Eugénie died. She and Lina had had so many common interests and stood so close together. They had been around for twenty years and always celebrated each other's birthdays and naming days. Many good memories were left, which Lina could rejoice in when she thought of her friend.
Lina also thought of her best friend's death - Jesus' death. He, who had given his life of love to us people so that we might receive salvation and peace. This theme is found in the beautiful song "Jesus for the world has given his life":
Jesus for the world ...
Jesus for the world has given his life
Opened eyes, Lord give to me.
Me to deliver, he sacrifices himself
When he dies on the cross for me too.
Oh, what a love, wonderful true!
Never has anyone loved as he did.
Saved through him, happy and free,
I now want to be his own forever.
Then take me, Lord, up to your child,
Free me from all the yarn of the tempter.
Teach me to live, live for you,
Happy in your love sacrificing me.
U.F.
Here is another version I found on the web. It is signed with Lina Sandell, so she should have translated it into English herself:
Jesus has died
Jesus has died that I might be free,
Ransom He purchased on Calvary's tree,
Grant me the vision I sorely need,
Faith that redemption's for me indeed.
Love that is gracious, wonderful, true,
Jesus has shown in loving me too,
Granted salvation, priceless and free,
His I may be through eternity.
Take me, o Lord, and make me Thy child,
Free me from evil and Satan's wiles,
Teach me to live that I may serve Thee,
Help me to share of what's given me.
Lina Sandell
The pelican has been a symbol of Jesus ever since the 11th century as the reconciliator and the deputy. In one of the old legends, it is said that the pelican's nestlings had been killed by the snake - symbol of the devil. When the pelican comes to the nest and finds the nestlings dead, he chops himself in the chest and feeds the nestlings with his own blood to bring them back to life. Jesus gave His blood so that we could have eternal life with Him.
The tree, in which the pelican is sitting, is at the same time a piece of a world map. - "Jesus for the world has given his life".
The branches form a cross in one place. - "... when he dies on the cross for me too".
An eye (iris and pupil) is found in the oval below the bird's neck. - "Opened eyes, Lord give me."
Writing songs about Jesus was Lina Sandell's melody of life. Therefore, we can let the oval shape of the eye and the vertical part of the cross be joined to a note.