Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
811Resource Type:
Keys included:
Am
About this Hymn
This timeless German hymn is used most often during communion. It is based on a medieval poem by Arnulf of Leuven, abbot of Villers, Belgium, in the thirteenth century. The music is known as the Passion Chorale, written by Hans Leo Hassler in the seventeenth century and harmonized by Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It is a challenging meditation on Christ's sufferings, unparalleled in its beauty.
Lyrics
Verse 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!
Verse 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.
Verse 3
What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.
Verse 4
Be near me, Lord, when dying,
O show thy cross to me!
And, for my succor flying,
come, Lord, to set me free:
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from Jesus shall not move;
for he who dies believing
dies safely through thy love.
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!
Verse 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.
Verse 3
What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.
Verse 4
Be near me, Lord, when dying,
O show thy cross to me!
And, for my succor flying,
come, Lord, to set me free:
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from Jesus shall not move;
for he who dies believing
dies safely through thy love.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Arnulf of Leuven, ca. 1250, adapt. Paul Gerhardt, 1656; tr. James W. Alexander, 1830
Music: Hans Leo Hassler, 1601; harm. J. S. Bach, 1727, alt.
Music: Hans Leo Hassler, 1601; harm. J. S. Bach, 1727, alt.