Common Praise ‎#120

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:
  Isaiah 52:2
  ;
  John 10:11
  ;
  John 19:2
  ;
  Mark 15:15-37
• 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