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| O Sacred Head |
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| 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. |
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| Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, |
| Thou noble countenance, |
| Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee |
| And flee before Thy glance. |
| How art thou pale with anguish, |
| With sore abuse and scorn! |
| How doth Thy visage languish |
| That once was bright as morn! |
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| Now from Thy cheeks has vanished |
| Their color, once so fair; |
| From Thy red lips is banished |
| The splendor that was there. |
| Grim Death, with cruel rigor, |
| Hath robbed Thee of Thy life; |
| Thus Thou has lost Thy vigor, |
| Thy strength, in this sad strife. |
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| My burden in Thy Passion, |
| Lord, Thou hast borne for me, |
| For it was my transgression |
| Which brought this woe on thee. |
| I cast me down before Thee, |
| Wrath were my rightful lot; |
| Have mercy, I implore Thee; |
| Redeemer, spurn me not! |
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| My Shepherd, now receive me; |
| My Guardian, own me Thine. |
| Great blessings Thou didst give me, |
| O Source of gifts divine! |
| Thy lips have often fed me |
| With words of truth and love, |
| Thy Spirit oft hath led me |
| To heavenly joys above. |
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| Here I will stand beside Thee, |
| From Thee I will not part; |
| O Savior, do not chide me! |
| When breaks Thy loving heart, |
| When soul and body languish |
| In death's cold, cruel grasp, |
| Then, in Thy deepest anguish, |
| Thee in mine arms I'll clasp. |
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| The joy can ne'er be spoken, |
| Above all joys beside, |
| When in Thy body broken |
| I thus with safety hide. |
| O Lord of life, desiring |
| Thy glory now to see, |
| Beside Thy cross expiring, |
| I'd breathe my soul to Thee. |
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| 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 for Thee. |
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| My Savior, be Thou near me |
| When death is at my door; |
| Then let Thy presence cheer me, |
| Forsake me nevermore! |
| When soul and body languish, |
| Oh, leave me not alone, |
| But take away mine anguish |
| By virtue of Thine own! |
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| 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 enfold Thee. |
| Who dieth thus dies well! |
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