O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

This page includes a lyric video, history, sheet music, and other resources for the classic hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.” Enjoy!

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Hymn

Enjoy this You Tube video, performed by Fernando Ortega, with lyrics for “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.”

History of “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”

Words (1153) attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)

Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)

Despite being born into wealth and power in the Middle Ages, Bernard chose a humble, monastic life. You can read more about him at Hymnary.org and at New Advent (the Catholic Encyclopedia).

Translated from Latin to English (1830) by James Waddel Alexander (1804-1859)

James W. Alexander (1804-1859)

James served as a pastor and professor at Princeton University. You can read more about him at Hymn Time.

Music “Passion Chorale” (1601) by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)
Harmonized (1729) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)

Hassler was a musician and organist. You can read more about him at Hymn Time.

Lyrics for “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”:

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.

O noblest brow, and dearest!
In other days the world
All feared, when Thou appeared’st,
What shame on Thee is hurled!
How art Thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn;
How does that visage anguish,
When once was bright as morn.

The blushes late residing
Upon that holy cheek,
The roses once abiding
Upon those lips so meek,
Alas! they have departed;
Wan Death has rifled all!
For weak and broken hearted,
I see Thy body fall.

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.

Receive me, my Redeemer,
My Shepherd, make me Thine;
Of every good the fountain,
Thou art the spring of mine.
Thy lips with love distilling,
And milk of truth sincere,
With Heaven’s bliss are filling
The soul that trembles here.

Beside Thee, Lord, I’ve taken
My place—forbid me not!
Hence will I ne’er be shaken,
Though Thou to death be brought,
If pain’s last paleness hold Thee,
In agony oppressed,
Then, then will I enfold Thee
Within this arm and breast!

The joy can ne’er 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 the cross expiring,
I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

What language shall I borrow,
To thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh! make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to Thee.

And when I am departing,
Oh! part not Thou from me;
When mortal pangs are darting,
Come, Lord, and set me free;
And when my heart must languish
Amidst the final throe,
Release me from mine anguish,
By Thine own pain and woe!

Be near me when I am dying,
Oh! show Thy cross to me;
And for my succor flying,
Come, Lord, and set me free!
These eyes new faith receiving,
From Jesus shall not move,
For he who dies believing,
Dies safely through Thy love.