O Sacred Head

O sacred Head, now wounded,

With grief and shame weighed down,

Now scornfully surrounded

With thorns, Thine only crown;

How pale Thou art with anguish,

With sore abuse and scorn!

How does that visage languish

Which once was bright as morn!

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

Out-live my love to Thee.

Text by Paul Gerhardt, 1676, melody by Hans Leo Hassler, 1612 and harmony by J. S. Bach, 1750. 1991 Baptist Hymnal #137

J. S. Bach was a Reformed Baroque composer.

Soli Deo Gloria!

For just a tid bit of music history, the Baroque period of classical music ended with Bach's death. Although the Classical era of music was beginning to come on the scene more and more (Mozart) Big Bach remained steadfast to compose music in the Baroque style until his death, completely unaffected by the progression toward simple harmony under a single melody characteristic of the Classical style.