1 O darkest Woe!
Ye tears, forth flow!
Has earth so sad a wonder,
That the Father's only Son
Now lies buried yonder!

2 O Sorrow dread!
Our God is dead!
But his great compassion
By his death upon the cross
Gained for us salvation.

3 O son of man!
It was the ban
Of death on thee that brought Him
Down to suffer for thy sins,
And such woe hath wrought Him.

4 See, stained with blood
The Lamb of God,
Thy bridegroom, lies before thee,
Pouring out His life that He
May to life restore thee.

5 O Ground of faith,
Laid low in death!
Sweet lips now silent sleeping!
Surely, all that live must mourn
Here with bitter weeping.

6 O Virgin-born,
Thy death we mourn,
Thou lovely Star of gladness,
Who could see Thy reeking blood
Void of grief and sadness?

7 Yea, blest shall be
Forever be,
Who ponders well this story,
That into a tomb was laid
He, the Lord of Glory.

8 O Jesus blest!
My Help and Rest!
With tears I now entreat Thee:
Make me love Thee to the last,
Till in heaven I greet Thee!