120. O sacred head, surrounded

1 O sacred head, surrounded
by crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding head, so wounded,
so shamed and put to scorn!
Death's pallid hue comes o'er thee,
the glow of life decays;
yet angel-hosts adore thee,
and tremble as they gaze.

2 Thy comeliness and vigour
is withered up and gone,
and in thy wasted figure
I see death drawing on.
O agony and dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesu, all grace supplying,
turn thou thy face on me.

3 In this thy bitter passion,
good Shepherd, think of me
with thy most sweet compassion,
unworthy though I be:
beneath thy cross abiding
for ever would I rest,
in thy dear love confiding,
and with thy presence blest.

Text Information
First Line: O sacred head, surrounded
Translator (from Latin): Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
Translator (from German): H. W. Baker, 1821-1877
Meter: 76 76 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 2000
Scripture: ; ; ;
Topic: Passiontide and Holy Week
Source: 14th-century Latin hymn
Tune Information
Name: PASSION CHORALE
Harmonizer: J. S. Bach, 1685-1750
Meter: 76 76 D
Key: a minor
Source: Traditional secular melody; H. L. Hassler's Musicalisches Lustgarte, 1601



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