O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Lyrics:
Paul Gerhardt
Music:
Hans Leo Hassler, 1621;
harmony by J.S. Bach, 1729
Midi: Mid courtesy of
 
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    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, my Lord, 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, vouchsafe to me 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.

    NOTE: they really liked to sing about their faith when this was written. Verse 3 above was actually verse 6 in the full version.
    Here are the other verses from the full song:



  4. Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,
    Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.
    How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
    How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

  5. Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;
    From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.
    Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
    Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.

    ... current verse 3 here



  6. My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
    For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee.
    I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot;
    Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!

  7. My shepherd, now receive me; my guardian, own me Thine.
    Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.
    Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;
    Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

  8. Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;
    O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,
    When soul and body languish in death's cold, cruel grasp,
    Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.

  9. The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,
    When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.
    O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,
    Beside Thy cross expiring, I'd breathe my soul to Thee.

  10. My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;
    Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!
    When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,
    But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!

  11. Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;
    Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.
    Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,
    My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.


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This page created: 01/03/00
by UnkleLouie
This page last modified: 01/11/00