O Sacred Head, Surrounded

Beautiful lyrics, beautiful melody -- this is my favorite Lenten hymn. (Original lyrics by St. Bernard of Clairvaux.)

O Sacred Head, surrounded

by crown of piercing thorn!

O bleeding Head, so wounded,

reviled and put to scorn!
Our sins have marred the glory
of Thy most Holy Face,
yet angel hosts adore Thee
and tremble as they gaze 

I see Thy strength and vigor
all fading in the strife,
and death with cruel rigor,
bereaving Thee of life;
O agony and dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying,
O turn Thy face on me. 

In this Thy bitter passion,

Good Shepherd, think of me

with Thy most sweet compassion,

unworthy though I be:

beneath Thy cross abiding

for ever would I rest,

in Thy dear love confiding,

and with Thy presence blest.

But death too is my ending;

In that dread hour of need,

My friendless cause befriending,

Lord, to my rescue speed:

Thyself, O Jesus, trace me,

Right passage to the grave,

And from Thy cross embrace me,

With arms outstretched to save.