O Sacred Head Now Wounded
On Good Friday we remember Christ’s death on the cross. We join an ancient tradition of gathering together to worship the one who died in our place. We take up words that have been on the lips of generations of Christians around the world. The tunes we sing have moved the hearts of millions, perhaps billions down through the ages.
One song that gets me to think about joining Christians through the centuries is “O Sacred Hhead Now Wounded.”
Musical historians are unclear who wrote the words to this great hymn. Many like to attribute them to Bernard of Clarirvaux, a twelfth century church reformer.
But we have no doubt about who wrote the music to the version we usually sing. German baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach put these words to music and used the tune in many of his compositions, most notably in his St. Matthew’s Passion.
It begins with a focus on Christ on the cross. His head is wounded, weighed down with grief and shame, surrounded with scorn. Then it moves to what it means for us. It was all for sinners gain that Christ bore this deadly pain. We deserved it, but Christ took our place. It ends with gratitude, with worshipers vowing lifelong loyalty, service and love. Drawing us into this story is a tune that powerfully leads us with highs and lows and minor keys.
1 O sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, your only crown.
O sacred head, what glory
and blessing you have known!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I claim you as my own.
2 My Lord, what you did suffer
was all for sinner's gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but yours the deadly pain.
So here I kneel, my Savior,
for I deserve your place;
look on me with thy favor
and save me by your grace.
3 What language shall I borrow
to thank you, dearest Friend,
for this, your dying sorrow,
your pity without end?
Lord, make me yours forever,
a loyal servant true,
and let me never, never
outlive my love to you.