Catholic Book of Worship III ‎#378

378. O Sacred Head Surrounded

1 O sacred head surrounded
By crown of piercing thorn.
O bleeding head, so wounded,
Reviled and put to scorn.
The pow'r of death comes o'er you,
The glow of life decays,
Yet angel hosts adore you,
And tremble as they gaze.

2 In this your bitter passion,
Good Shepherd, think of me
With your most sweet compassion,
Unworthy though I be:
Beneath your cross abiding
For ever would I rest,
In your dear love confiding,
And with your presence blest.

3 Christ Jesus, we adore you,
Our thorn-crowned Lord and King.
We bow our heads before you,
And to your cross we cling.
Lord, give us strength to bear it
With patience and with love,
That we may truly merit
A glorious crown above.

Text Information

• First Line: O sacred head surrounded
• Title: O Sacred Head Surrounded
• Latin Title: Salve caput crunentarum (O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden)
• Author (attributled to): St. Bernard of Clarivaux, c. 1091-1153
• Translator (into German): Paulus Gerhardt, 1607-1676
• Translator (v. 1): Henry William Baker, 1821-1877
• Translator (vs. 2-3): Arthur Tozer Russell, 1806-1874 (alt.)
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1994
• Scripture:
  Matthew 27:11
  ;
  Matthew 27:27
  ;
  Matthew 27:29
  ;
  Matthew 27:35-50
• Topic: Holy Week: Good Friday
• Source: Praxis Pietatis Melica, 1656

Tune Information

• Name: PASSION CHORALE
• Composer: Hans Leo Hassler, 1564-1612
• Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Key: a minor
• Source: Lusgarten Neuer Teutscher Gesämh, 1601
• Copyright: Lusgarten Neuer Teutscher Gesämh, 1601