You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Text:O sacred head, sore wounded
Author (attributed to):Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)
Translator, stanza 4:James W. Alexander
Translator, stanzas 1-3:Robert Bridges
Tune:PASSION CHORALE
Composer (melody):Hans Leo Hassler
Harmonizer:J. S. Bach

260. O sacred head, sore wounded

Text Information
First Line: O sacred head, sore wounded
Title: O sacred head, sore wounded
Author (attributed to): Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)
Translator, stanzas 1-3: Robert Bridges (1899)
Translator, stanza 4: James W. Alexander (1830)
Meter: 7676D
Language: English
Publication Date: 1992
Topic: Passion and Death
Source: Latin
Notes: German paraphrase by Paul Gerhardt, 1656, (O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden)
Tune Information
Name: PASSION CHORALE
Composer (melody): Hans Leo Hassler (1601)
Harmonizer: J. S. Bach (1729)
Meter: 7676D
Key: a minor or modal
Source: adapted and harmonized by J. S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.