158. O sacred head surrounded
7.6.7.6 D
Passion Chorale:
Hans Leo Hassler, 1601;
harm. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), 1729
Latin; St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153);
Tr. Henry W. Baker, 1861
O sacred head surrounded By crown of piercing thorn! O bleeding head, so wounded, Reviled 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. | I see thy strength and vigor, All fading in the strife, And death with cruel rigor, Bereaving thee of life; O agony and dying! O love to sinners free! Jesus, all grace supplying, O turn thy face on me. | 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. | Be near when I am dying; O show thy cross to me: And to my succour flying, Come, Lord, and set me free. These eyes, new faith receiving, From thee shall never move; For he who dies believing, Dies safely in thy love. | |