Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Galatians 3:13Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
Words: From the appendix to the Roman Breviary (Bologna, Italy, 1827) (Aspice, Infami Deus Ipse Ligno). Translated from Latin to English by William J. Blew, The Church Hymn and Tune Book (London: Francis & John Rivington, 1852), Lent and Passion-tide section, number 23.
Music: St. Cross The Church Hymn and Tune Book, 1852 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Note: Some hymnals omit the first stanza, and/or substitute shameful
for felon’s
in the second stanza.
If you know where to get a good photo of Blew (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Lo—on th’inglorious tree
Our God, the God of Glory, hangs;
All steeped in blood is He,
And pierced with pangs.
A felon’s death He dies,
Uplift betwixt that robber-twain;
Sweet Lamb for sacrifice,
By sinners slain.
Pale, pale grows that dear brow,
In death that drooping head declines;
His parched lip moves and now
His soul resigns—
His placid soul—oh! gaze
On that wan face, that crown of thorn;
Those eyes which death-films glaze,
There look and mourn.
Mourn, and, with tears of blood,
Weep till thine eyes in death grow dim,
For Him unto the wood
Thou nail’st, yea Him—
To whom, the mighty God,
Washing in blood our sins away,
Our everlasting laud
We meekly pay.