202. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

1 O sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!

2 What thou, O Christ, hast suffered
was all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
’Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
and keep me in thy grace.

3 What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.

Text Information
First Line: O sacred head, now wounded
Title: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Author (attributed to): Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th C. (12th century)
Translator: James W. Alexander (1830)
Meter: 76.76D
Language: English
Publication Date: 1995
Topic: God Known in Jesus Christ: Suffering and Death; Christian Year: Holy Week; Gratitude (7 more...)
Tune Information
Name: PASSION CHORALE
Composer: Hans L. Hassler (1601)
Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1729)
Meter: 76.76D
Key: e minor



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