O Sacred Head, Surrounded

These lyrics were translated from the text of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153) by Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877), in 1861; giving us another priceless Catholic hymn that dates back centuries!  This hymn seems appropriate as we approach Easter Week.

O Sacred Head, surrounded

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.

As can be expected it is mostly used during Lent, particularly during Passion week, and is fitting for sacred worship: inspiring the respect we should all have for the Sacred Mysteries taking place during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.