O sacred Head, now wounded lyrics

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 till 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 to me Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow

to thank Thee, dearest friend,

For this Thy dying sorrow,

Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine forever,

and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never

outlive my love to Thee.

Be Thou my consolation,

my shield when I must die;

Remind me of Thy passion

when my last hour draws nigh.

Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,

upon Thy cross shall dwell,

My heart by faith enfolds Thee.

Who dieth thus dies well.

• Artist:Bernard of Clairvaux