The New English Hymnal ‎#81

81. The crown of thorns

1 Dost thou truly seek renown
Christ his glory sharing?
Wouldst thou win the heavenly crown
Victor’s garland bearing?
Tread the path the Saviour trod,
Look upon the crown of God,
See what he is wearing.

2 This the King of Heaven bore
In that sore contending,
This his sacred temples wore,
Honour to it lending,
In this helmet faced the foe,
On the rood he laid him low,
Satan’s kingdom ending.

3 Christ upon the tree of scorn
In salvation’s hour,
Turned to gold these pricks of thorn
By his passion’s power:
So on sinners, who had earned
Endless death, from sin returned,
Endless blessings shower.

4 When in death’s embrace we lie,
Then, good Lord, be near us,
With thy presence fortify,
And with victory cheer us,
Turn our erring hearts to thee,
That we crowned for ay may be:
O good Jesu, hear us!

Text Information

• First Line: Dost thou truly seek renown
• Title: The crown of thorns
• Translator: Athelstan Riley, 1858-1945 (alt.)
• Meter: 76 76 776
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Passiontide
• Source: 13th century Latin
• Copyright: Tr. By permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")
• Notes: Now Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: DAS IST MEINE FREUDE
• Composer: J. A. Freylinghausen, 1670-1739
• Meter: 76 76 776
• Key: F Major
• Copyright: Arr. by permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")