O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Bernard of Clairvaux (attrib.) 1153 Tune: Passion Chorale (7.6.7.6.D)

A medieval Passion meditation on the wounded head of the crucified Saviour.

Quick Answer

A medieval Passion meditation on the wounded head of the crucified Saviour. Written by Bernard of Clairvaux (attrib.) (1153), set to the tune "Passion Chorale" by Hans Leo Hassler.

Suggested pairing scripture

Isaiah 53:5

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Read Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.

Read in context

When to sing this

Sing on Good Friday, during Holy Week reflections, and at the Lord's Supper as the congregation contemplates the cross.

Lyrics

Stanza 1

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.

Stanza 2

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 Saviour! 'Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, Vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Stanza 3

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 Outlive my love for Thee.

Stanza 4

Be near when I am dying, O show Thy cross to me! And, for my succor flying, Come, Lord, and set me free! These eyes, new faith receiving, From Jesus shall not move; For he who dies believing Dies safely through Thy love.

History & Background

The Latin original 'Salve caput cruentatum' is part of a longer medieval poem traditionally attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century) but more likely written by the Cistercian Arnulf of Leuven (d. 1250). Paul Gerhardt translated it into German in 1656. James Waddell Alexander gave it the now-standard English form in 1830. The tune is by Hans Leo Hassler (1601), originally a love song; J. S. Bach harmonized it five times in his St. Matthew Passion.

Scripture Behind the Hymn

Isaiah 53:5

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Read in context

Matthew 27:29

"And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!"

Read in context

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Bach compose this tune?

No — Hans Leo Hassler wrote the melody in 1601 as a secular love song. Bach so loved the chorale that he harmonized it five times in his St. Matthew Passion, cementing it as one of Christianity's most beloved Passion hymns.