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Mutter

Hymn · The cross

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Words by Paul Gerhardt, from the Latin; tr. James W. Alexander, 16564 verses

Organ, every verse, the words light up as you sing. Tune: Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen.

O sacred head, now wounded,With grief and shame weighed down—O sacred brow, surroundedWith thorns, thine only crown:Once on a throne of glory,Adorned with light divine;Now all despised and gory,I joy to call thee mine.

On me, as thou art dying,O, turn thy pitying eye;To thee for mercy crying,Before thy cross I lie.Thine, thine the bitter passion;Thy pain is all for me;Mine, mine the deep transgression;My sins are all on thee.

What language can I borrowTo praise thee, heavenly Friend,For all this dying sorrow,Of all my woes the end?O, can I leave thee ever?Then do not thou leave me;Lord, let me never, neverOutlive my love to thee.

Be near when I am dying;Then close beside me stand;Let me, while faint and sighing,Lean calmly on thy hand:These eyes, new faith receiving,From thee shall never move,For he who dies believing,Dies safely—in thy love.

Words: Paul Gerhardt, from the Latin; tr. James W. Alexander (1656). Public domain.