CPWI Hymnal ‎#142

142. 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 oflife 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
• Latin Title: Salve caput cruentatum
• Author: Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153
• Translator (German): Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676 (alt.)
• Translator (English): Henry Williams Baker, 1821-1877 (alt.)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2010
• Scripture:
  Matthew 27:27-29
• Topic: Hymns for the Church Year: Passion and Holy Week

Tune Information

• Name: PASSION CHORALE
• Composer: Hans L. Hassler, 1564-1612
• Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Key: a minor