O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Martha's vision for this song was to combine Bach's beautiful arrangement with modern motifs. Our friend and fine singer Kristen joined us for this song. The live take has a slower, pensive atmosphere, while the multi-track version is slightly faster.

Words by Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153. Translated by James W. Alexander, 1830. Music by Hans Leo Hassler, 1601. Arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach, 1729. This arrangement by Martha, David, and Kristen.

Live


Multi-track


Download Live Version or Download Multi-Track Version

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory what bliss ’til now was Thine
Yet though despised and gory I joy to call Thee mine .

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe me to Thy grace.

The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.
My Lord of Life, desiring thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

What language shall I borrow to praise Thee, heavenly friend,
For this my dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
Lord make me Thine forever, nor let me faithless prove
Oh let me never, never abuse such dying love