The New English Hymnal ‎#516b

516b. Behold the wood of the Cross

[Priest or Cantor] Behold the wood of the Cross,
whereon was hung the Saviour of the world.

[All] O come, let us worship.

1 [Cantor] O my people, what have I done to thee,
or wherein have I wearied thee?
Answer me.
Because I brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
[Choir] Holy God, Holy and Mighty.
Holy and Immortal,
have mercy upon us.

2 [Cantor] Because I led thee through the desert forty years,
and fed thee with manna,
and brought thee into a land exceeding good,
thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
[Choir] Holy God, Holy and Mighty.
Holy and Immortal,
have mercy upon us.

3 What could I do more for thee that I have not done?
I planted thee, my choicest vine,
and thou hast become exceeding bitter unto me:
for when I was thirsty thou gavest me to drink vinegar
mingled with gall, and hast pierced
with a spear the side of thy Saviour.
[Choir] Holy God, Holy and Mighty.
Holy and Immortal,
have mercy upon us.

[Cantor] We venerate thy Cross, O lord,
[All] and praise and glorify thy holy Resurrection:
for by virtue of the Cross joy has come to the whole world.

Text Information

• First Line: Behold the wood of the Cross
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Good Friday: The Veneration of the Cross

Tune Information

• Name: [Behold the wood of the Cross]
• Key: a minor
• Notes: A simpler setting