Passiontide

These are not simply an introduction, but a more extended piece that comments on the mood and the meaning of the words of the hymn.

So our organ intern, Nicola, is going to do this for our next hymn, O Sacred Head, a chorale for Passion Tide.

As you hear this improvised prelude, allow yourself to enter into the mood and the spirit of the text.

¶¶ Thank you, Lord.

End of Part Six Part Seven of The Easter Mystery of Jesus Christ This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Part Seven The English Hymnal Hymn Text for Passiontide Hymn ninety-four.

The royal banners forward go, The cross shines forth in mystic glow, Where He in flesh, our flesh who made, Our sentence bore, our ransom paid.

Where deep for us the spear was dyed, Life's torrent rushing from His side, To wash us in that precious flood, Where mingled water flowed and blood.

miserere let me be never parted lord from thee guard me from my ruthless foe save me from eternal woe when the hour of death is near and my spirit faints for fear call me with thy voice of love place me near to thee above with thine angel host to praise an undying song of praise miserere domine hymn ninety to my humble supplication lord give ear and acceptation save thy servant that hath none help nor hope but thee alone send o send relieving gladness to my soul oppressed with sadness which from clog of earth set free winged with zeal flies up to thee to thee rich in mercy's treasure and in goodness without measure never failing help to those who on thy sure help repose heavenly tutor of thy kindness teach my dulness guide my blindness that my steps thy paths may tread which to endless bliss do lead hymn ninety one weary of earth and laden with my sin i look at heaven and long to enter in but there no evil thing may find a home and yet i hear a voice that bids me come so vile i am how dare i hope to stand in the pure glory of that holy land before the whiteness of that throne appear yet there are hands stretched out to draw me near the while i fain would tread the heavenly way evil is ever with me day by day yet on mine ears the gracious tidings fall repent confess thou shalt be loosed from all it is the voice of jesus that i hear his are the hands stretched out to draw me near and his the blood that can for all atone and set me faultless there before the throne part two o great absolver grant my soul may wear the lowliest garb of penitence and prayer that in the father's courts my glorious dress may be the garment of thy righteousness yea thou wilt answer for me righteous lord thine all the merits mine the great reward thine the sharp thorns and mine the golden crown mine the life won and thine the life laid down naught can i bring dear lord for all i owe yet let my full heart what it can bestow like mary's gift let my devotion prove forgiven greatly how i greatly love him ninety two when rising from the bed of death or whelmed with guilt and fear i see my maker face to face oh how shall i appear if yet while pardon may be found and mercy may be sought my heart with inward horror shrinks and trembles at the thought when thou o lord shalt stand disclosed in majesty severe and sit in judgment on my soul o how shall i appear but thou hast told the troubled mind who does her sins lament the timely tribute of her tears shall endless woe then see the sorrow of my heart ere yet it be too late and hear my saviour's dying groans to give those sorrows wait for never shall my soul despair her pardon to procure who knows thine only son has died to make her pardon sure hymn ninety three the god of love my shepherd is and he that doth me feed while he is mine and i am his what can i want or need he leads me to the tender grass where i both feed and rest then to the streams that gently pass in both i have the best or if i stray he doth convert and bring my mind in frame and all this not for my desert but for his holy name yea in death's shady black abode well may i walk not fear for thou art with me and thy rod to guide thy staff to bear surely thy sweet and wondrous love shall measure all my days and as it never shall remove so neither shall my praise part six part seven of the easter mystery of jesus christ this librivox recording is in the public domain Part 7.

The English Hymnal, Hymn Text for Passion Tide.

Hymn 94. the royal banners forward go the cross shines forth in mystic glow where he in flesh our flesh who made our sentence bore our ransom paid where deep for us the spear was dyed life's torrent rushing from his side to wash us in that precious flood where mingled water flowed and blood fulfilled is all that david told in true prophetic song of old amidst the nations god saith he hath reigned and triumphed from the tree o tree of beauty tree of light o tree with royal purple elect on whose triumphal breast those holy limbs should find their rest on whose dear arm so widely flung the weight of this world's ransom hung the price of human kind to pay and spoil the spoiler of his prey o cross our one reliance hail so may thy power with us avail to give new virtue to the saint and pardon to the penitent to thee eternal three in one let homage meet by all be done whom by the cross thou dost restore preserve and govern evermore amen hymn ninety five sing my tongue the glorious battle sing the ending of the fray now above the cross the trophy sound the loud triumphant lay tell how christ the world's redeemer as a victim won the day god in pity saw a man fallen shamed and sunk in misery when he fell on death by tasting fruit of the forbidden tree then another tree was chosen which the world from death should free thus the scheme of our salvation was of old in order laid that the manifold deceivers art by art might be outweighed and the lure the foe put forward unto means of healing made therefore when the appointed fulness of the holy time was come he was sent who maketh all things forth from god's eternal home thus he came to earth incarnate offspring of a maiden's womb to the trinity be glory everlasting as is meet equal to the father equal to the son and paraclete trinal unity whose praises all created things repeat amen him ninety six thirty years among us dwelling his appointed time fulfilled born for this he meets his passion for that this he freely willed on the cross the lamb is lifted where his life-blood shall be spilled he endured the nails the spitting vinegar and spear and reed from that holy body broken blood and water forth proceed earth and stars and sky and ocean by that flood from stain are freed part two faithful cross above all other one and only noble tree none in foliage none in blossom none in fruit thy peer may be sweetest wood and sweetest iron sweetest weight is hung on thee bend thy boughs o tree of glory thy relaxing sinews bend for awhile the ancient rigour that thy birth bestowed suspend and the king of heavenly beauty on thy bosom gently tend thou alone wast counted worthy this world's ransom to uphold for a shipwrecked race preparing harbour like the ark of old with the sacred blood anointed from the smitten lamb that rolled to the trinity be glory everlasting as is meet equal to the father equal to the son and paraclete trinal unity whose praises all created things repeat amen hymn ninety seven dost thou truly seek renown christ his glory sharing wouldst thou win the heavenly crown victor's meed declaring tread the path the saviour trod look upon the crown of god see what he is wearing this the king of heaven bore in that sore contending this his sacred temples wore honour to it lending in this helm he faced the foe on the rood he laid him low satan's kingdom ending christ upon the tree of scorn in salvation's hour turned to gold those pricks of thorn by his passion's power so on sinners who had earned endless death from sin returned endless blessings shower when in death's embrace we lie then good lord be near us with thy presence fortify and with victory cheer us turn our erring hearts to thee that we crown for aye may be o good jesu hear us him ninety eight drop drop slow tears and bathe those beauteous feet which brought from heaven the news and prince of peace cease not wet eyes his mercies to entreat to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease in your deep floods drown all my faults and fears nor let his eye see sin but through my tears him ninety nine glory be to jesus who in bitter pains poured for me the life-blood from his sacred veins grace and life eternal in that blood i find blest be his compassion infinitely kind blest through endless ages be the precious stream which from endless torment doth the world redeem able's blood for vengeance pleaded to the skies but the blood of jesus for our pardon cries oft as it is sprinkled on our guilty hearts satan in confusion terror-struck departs Oft as earth exulting wafts its praise on high, Hell with terror trembles, heaven is filled with joy.

Lift ye then your voices, swell the mighty flood, Louder still and louder, praise the precious blood.

[laughs]

Um, and that's a, a Passiontide work, an, an Easter story work.

Um, and I've long wanted to write a Christmas-themed work.

Now, there are perils to writing Christmas-themed works because often at Christmas, choirs want to do what we might call a sort of banker concert, where they can make all the money they need-

O help us through the prayer of faith more firmly to believe, for still the more the servant hath the more shall he receive o help us jesu from on high we know no help but thee o help us so to live and die as thine in heaven to be hymn eighty four o lord turn not away thy face from him that lies prostrate lamenting sore his sinful life before thy mercy gate which gate thou openest wide to those that do lament their sin shut not thy gate against me lord but let me enter in and call me not to mine account how i have lived here but then i know right well o lord how vile i shall appear so come i to thy mercy gate where mercy doth abound requiring mercy for my sin to heal my deadly wound mercy good lord mercy i ask this is the total sum for mercy lord is all my suit lord let thy mercy come him eighty five o thou from whom all goodness flows i lift my heart to thee in all my sorrows conflicts woes dear lord remember me when on my poor distressed heart my sins lie heavily thy pardon grant new peace impart dear lord remember me when trials sore obstruct my way and ills i cannot flee o let my strength be as my day dear lord remember me if for thy sake upon my name shame and reproaches be all hail reproach and welcome shame dear lord remember me if worn with pain disease or grief this feeble spirit be grant patience rest and kind relief dear lord remember me and oh when in the hour of death i wait thy just decree be this the prayer of my last breath dear lord remember me him eighty six o thou who dost accord us the highest prize in guerdon thou hope of all our race jesu do thou afford us the gift we ask of pardon for all who humbly seek thy face with whispered accusation our conscience tells of sinning in thought and word and deed thine is our restoration the work of grace beginning for souls from every burden freed for who if thou reject us shall raise the fainting spirit tis thine alone to spare if thou to life elect us with cleansed hearts to near it shall be our task our lowly prayer o trinity most glorious thy pardon free bestowing defend us evermore that in thy courts victorious thy love more truly knowing we may with all thy saints adore hymn eighty seven saviour when in dust to thee low we bow the adoring knee when repentant to the skies scarce we lift our weeping eyes o by all thy pains and woe suffered once for man below bending from thy throne on high hear our solemn litany by thy helpless infant years by thy life of want and tears by thy days of sore distress in the savage wilderness by the dread mysterious hour of the insulting tempter's power turn o turn a favouring eye hear our solemn litany by the sacred griefs that wept o'er the grave where lazarus slept by the boding tears that flowed over salem's loved abode by the anguish sigh that told treachery lurked within thy fold from thy seat above the sky hear our solemn litany by thine hour of dire despair by thine agony of prayer by the cross the nail the thorn piercing spear and torturing scorn by the gloom that veiled the skies o'er the dreadful sacrifice listen to our humble cry hear our solemn litany by thy deep expiring groan by the sad sepulchral stone by the vault whose dark abode held in vain the rising god oh from earth to heaven restored mighty re-ascended lord listen listen to the cry of our solemn litany him eighty eight sinful sighing to be blest bound and longing to be free weary waiting for my rest god be merciful to me holiness i've none to plead sinfulness in all i seek i can only bring my need god be merciful to me broken heart and downcast eyes dare not lift themselves to thee yet thou canst interpret sighs god be merciful to me from this sinful heart of mine to thy bosom i would flee i am not mine own but thine god be merciful to me there is one beside thy throne and my only hope and plea are in him and him alone god be merciful to me he my cause will undertake my interpreter will be he's my all and for his sake god be merciful to me hymn eighty nine soul of jesus make me whole meek and contrite make my soul thou most stainless soul divine cleanse this sordid soul of mine hallow this my contrite heart purify my every part soul of jesus hallow me miserere domini save me body of my lord save a sinner vile abhorred sacred body wan and worn bruised and mangled scourged and torn pierced hands and feet and side rent insulted crucified save me to the cross i flee miserere blood of jesus stream of life sacred streams with blessings rife from thy broken body shed on the cross that altar dread given to be our drink divine fill my heart and make it thine blood of christ my succour be miserere domini holy water stream that poured from thy riven side o lord wash thou me without within cleanse me from the taint of sin till my soul is clean and white bathed and purified and bright as a ransomed soul should be miserere domine jesu by the wondrous power of thine awful passion our by the unimagined woe mortal man may never know by the curse upon thee laid by the ransom thou hast paid by thy passion comfort me miserere domini jesu by thy bitter death by thy last expiring breath give me the eternal life purchased by that mortal strife thou didst suffer death that i might not die eternally by thy dying quicken me miserere miserere let me be never parted lord from thee guard me from my ruthless foe save me from eternal woe when the hour of death is near and my spirit faints for fear call me with thy voice of love place me near to thee above with thine angel host to praise an undying song of praise miserere domine hymn ninety to my humble supplication lord give ear and acceptation save thy servant that hath none help nor hope but thee alone send o send relieving gladness to my soul oppressed with sadness which from clog of earth set free winged with zeal flies up to thee to thee rich in mercy's treasure and in goodness without measure never failing help to those who on thy sure help repose heavenly tutor of thy kindness teach my dulness guide my blindness that my steps thy paths may tread which to endless bliss do lead hymn ninety one weary of earth and laden with my sin i look at heaven and long to enter in but there no evil thing may find a home and yet i hear a voice that bids me come so vile i am how dare i hope to stand in the pure glory of that holy land before the whiteness of that throne appear yet there are hands stretched out to draw me near the while i fain would tread the heavenly way evil is ever with me day by day yet on mine ears the gracious tidings fall repent confess thou shalt be loosed from all it is the voice of jesus that i hear his are the hands stretched out to draw me near and his the blood that can for all atone and set me faultless there before the throne part two o great absolver grant my soul may wear the lowliest garb of penitence and prayer that in the father's courts my glorious dress may be the garment of thy righteousness yea thou wilt answer for me righteous lord thine all the merits mine the great reward thine the sharp thorns and mine the golden crown mine the life won and thine the life laid down naught can i bring dear lord for all i owe yet let my full heart what it can bestow like mary's gift let my devotion prove forgiven greatly how i greatly love him ninety two when rising from the bed of death or whelmed with guilt and fear i see my maker face to face oh how shall i appear if yet while pardon may be found and mercy may be sought my heart with inward horror shrinks and trembles at the thought when thou o lord shalt stand disclosed in majesty severe and sit in judgment on my soul o how shall i appear but thou hast told the troubled mind who does her sins lament the timely tribute of her tears shall endless woe then see the sorrow of my heart ere yet it be too late and hear my saviour's dying groans to give those sorrows wait for never shall my soul despair her pardon to procure who knows thine only son has died to make her pardon sure hymn ninety three the god of love my shepherd is and he that doth me feed while he is mine and i am his what can i want or need he leads me to the tender grass where i both feed and rest then to the streams that gently pass in both i have the best or if i stray he doth convert and bring my mind in frame and all this not for my desert but for his holy name yea in death's shady black abode well may i walk not fear for thou art with me and thy rod to guide thy staff to bear surely thy sweet and wondrous love shall measure all my days and as it never shall remove so neither shall my praise part six part seven of the easter mystery of jesus christ this librivox recording is in the public domain Part 7.

The English Hymnal, Hymn Text for Passion Tide hymn ninety four the royal banners forward go the cross shines forth in mystic glow where he in flesh our flesh who made our sentence bore our ransom paid where deep for us the spear was dyed life's torrent rushing from his side to wash us in that precious flood where mingled water flowed and blood fulfilled is all that david told in true prophetic song of old amidst the nations god saith he hath reigned and triumphed from the tree o tree of beauty tree of light o tree with royal purple elect on whose triumphal breast those holy limbs should find their rest on whose dear arm so widely flung the weight of this world's ransom hung the price of human kind to pay and spoil the spoiler of his prey o cross our one reliance hail so may thy power with us avail to give new virtue to the saint and pardon to the penitent to thee eternal three in one let homage meet by all be done whom by the cross thou dost restore preserve and govern evermore amen hymn ninety five sing my tongue the glorious battle sing the ending of the fray now above the cross the trophy sound the loud triumphant lay tell how christ the world's redeemer as a victim won the day god in pity saw a man fallen shamed and sunk in misery when he fell on death by tasting fruit of the forbidden tree then another tree was chosen which the world from death should free thus the scheme of our salvation was of old in order laid that the manifold deceivers art by art might be outweighed and the lure the foe put forward unto means of healing made therefore when the appointed fulness of the holy time was come he was sent who maketh all things forth from god's eternal home thus he came to earth incarnate offspring of a maiden's womb to the trinity be glory everlasting as is meet equal to the father equal to the son and paraclete trinal unity whose praises all created things repeat amen him ninety six thirty years among us dwelling his appointed time fulfilled born for this he meets his passion for that this he freely willed on the cross the lamb is lifted where his life-blood shall be spilled he endured the nails the spitting vinegar and spear and reed from that holy body broken blood and water forth proceed earth and stars and sky and ocean by that flood from stain are freed part two faithful cross above all other one and only noble tree none in foliage none in blossom none in fruit thy peer may be sweetest wood and sweetest iron sweetest weight is hung on thee bend thy boughs o tree of glory thy relaxing sinews bend for awhile the ancient rigour that thy birth bestowed suspend and the king of heavenly beauty on thy bosom gently tend thou alone wast counted worthy this world's ransom to uphold for a shipwrecked race preparing harbour like the ark of old with the sacred blood anointed from the smitten lamb that rolled to the trinity be glory everlasting as is meet equal to the father equal to the son and paraclete trinal unity whose praises all created things repeat amen hymn ninety seven dost thou truly seek renown christ his glory sharing wouldst thou win the heavenly crown victor's meed declaring tread the path the saviour trod look upon the crown of god see what he is wearing this the king of heaven bore in that sore contending this his sacred temples wore honour to it lending in this helm he faced the foe on the rood he laid him low satan's kingdom ending christ upon the tree of scorn in salvation's hour turned to gold those pricks of thorn by his passion's power so on sinners who had earned endless death from sin returned endless blessings shower when in death's embrace we lie then good lord be near us with thy presence fortify and with victory cheer us turn our erring hearts to thee that we crown for aye may be o good jesu hear us him ninety eight drop drop slow tears and bathe those beauteous feet which brought from heaven the news and prince of peace cease not wet eyes his mercies to entreat to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease in your deep floods drown all my faults and fears nor let his eye see sin but through my tears him ninety nine glory be to jesus who in bitter pains poured for me the life-blood from his sacred veins grace and life eternal in that blood i find blest be his compassion infinitely kind blest through endless ages be the precious stream which from endless torment doth the world redeem able's blood for vengeance pleaded to the skies but the blood of jesus for our pardon cries oft as it is sprinkled on our guilty hearts satan in confusion terror-struck departs oft as earth exulting wafts its praise on high hell with terror trembles heaven is filled with joy lift ye then your voices swell the mighty flood louder still and louder praise the precious blood hymn c go to dark gethsemane ye that feel the tempter's power your redeemer's conflict see watch with him one bitter hour turn not from his griefs away learn of jesus christ to pray see him at the judgment hall beaten bound reviled arraigned see him weakly bearing all love to man his soul sustained shun not suffering shame or loss learn of christ to bear the cross calvary's mournful mountain view there the lord of glory see made a sacrifice for you dying on the accursed tree it is finished hear him cry trust in christ and learn to die him one hundred one my god my god and can it be that i should sin so lightly now and think no more of evil thoughts than of the wind that waves the bough i walk the earth with lightsome step smile at the sunshine breathe the air do my own will nor ever heed gethsemane and thy long prayer shall it be always thus o lord wilt thou not work this hour in me the grace thy passion merited hated of self and love of thee ever when tempted make me see beneath the olive's moon-pierced shade my god alone outstretched and bruised and bleeding on the earth he made and make me feel it was my sin as though no other sins there were that was to him who bears the world a load that he could scarcely bear him one hundred two o sacred head sore wounded defiled and put to scorn o kingly head surrounded with mocking crown of thorn what sorrow mars thy grandeur can death thy bloom deflower o countenance whose splendour the hosts of heaven adore thy beauty long desired hath vanished from our sight thy power is all expired and quenched the light of light ah me for whom thou diest hide not so far thy grace show me o love most highest the brightness of thy face i pray thee jesus own me me shepherd good for thine who to thy fold hast won me and fed with truth divine me guilty me refuse not incline thy face to me this comfort that i lose not on earth to comfort thee in thy most bitter passion my heart to share doth cry with thee for my salvation upon the cross to die ah keep my heart thus moved to stand thy cross beneath to mourn thee well-beloved yet thank thee for thy death my days are few oh fail not with thine immortal power to hold me that i quail not in death's most fearful hour that i may fight befriended and see in my last strife to me thine arms extended upon the cross of life hymn ciii o sinner raise the eye of faith to true repentance turning consider well the curse of sin its shame and guilt discerning upon the crucified one look so shalt thou learn as in a book what well is worth thy learning look on the head with such a crown of bitter thorns surrounded look on the blood that trickles down the feet and hands thus wounded and see his flesh with scourge's rent mark how upon the innocent man's malice hath abounded but though upon him many a pain its bitterness is spending yet more how much more his heart man's wickedness is rending such is the load for sinners borne as mary's son in woe forlorn his life for us is ending none ever knew such pangs before none ever such affliction as when his people brought to pass the saviour's crucifixion he willed to bear for us the throes for us the unimagined woes of death's most fell infliction o sinner stay and ponder well sin's fearful condemnation think on the wounds that christ endured in working thy salvation for if thy lord had never died naught else could sinful man betide but bitter reprobation lord give us sinners grace to flee the death of evil-doing to shun the gloomy gates of hell thine awful judgment viewing so thank we thee o christ to-day and so for life eternal pray the holy road pursuing him one hundred four servant of god remember the stream of thy soul bedewing the grace that came upon thee anointing and renewing when kindly slumber calls thee upon thy bed reclining trace thou the cross of jesus thy heart and forehead signing the cross dissolves the darkness and drives away temptation it calms the wavering spirit by quiet consecration begone begone the terrors of vague and formless dreaming begone thou fell deceiver with all thy boastful scheming begone thou wicked serpent who twisting and pursuing by fraud and lie the simple soul's undoing tremble for christ is near us depart for here he dwelleth and this the sign thou knowest thy strong battalions quelleth then while the weary body its rest in sleep is nearing the heart will muse in silence on christ and his appearing to god eternal father to christ our king be glory and to the holy spirit in never-ending story amen him one hundred five sweet the moments rich in blessing which before the cross i spend life and health and peace possessing from the sinner's dying friend here i stay forever viewing mercy streaming in his blood precious drops my soul bedewing plead and claim my peace with god truly blessed is this station low before his cross to lie while i see divine compassion floating in his languid eye lord in ceaseless contemplation fix our hearts and eyes on thee till we taste thy full salvation and unveiled thy glory see him one hundred six there is a green hill far away without a city wall where the dear lord was crucified who died to save us all we may not know we cannot tell what pains he had to bear but we believe it was for us he hung and suffered there he died that we might be forgiven he died to make us good that we might go at last to heaven saved by his precious blood there was no other good enough to pay the price of sin he only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in oh dearly dearly has he loved and we must love him too and trust in his redeeming blood and try his works to do him one hundred seven when i survey the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died my richest gain i count but loss and poor contempt on all my pride forbid it lord that i should boast save in the death of christ my god all the vain things that charm me most i sacrifice them to his blood see from his head his hands his feet sorrow and love flow mingled down did e'er such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown his dying crimson like a robe spreads o'er his body on the tree then am i dead to all the globe and all the globe is dead to me were the whole realm of nature mine that were a present far too small love so amazing so divine demands my soul my life my all him one hundred eight who is this with garments gory triumphing from borza's way this that weareth robes of glory bright with more than victory's ray who is this unwearied comer from his journey's sultry length travelling through idume's summer in the greatness of his strength wherefore red in thine apparel like the conquerors of earth and arrayed like those who carol o'er the reeking vineyards mirth who art thou the valley seeking where our peaceful harvests wave i in righteous anger speaking i the mighty one to save i that of the raging heathen trod the winepress all alone now in victor garland's wreathen coming to redeem mine own i am he with sprinkled raiment glorious for my vengeance hour ransoming with priceless payment and delivering with power hail all hail thou lord of glory thee our father thee we own abram heard not of our story israel ne'er our name hath known but redeemer thou hast sought us thou hast heard thy children's wail thou with thy dear blood hast bought us hail thou mighty victor hail hymn cxix o thou who through this holy week didst suffer for us all the sick to cure the lost to seek to raise up them that fall we cannot understand the woe thy love was pleased to bear o lamb of god we only know that all our hopes are there thy feet the path of suffering trod thy hand the victory won what shall we render to our god for all that he hath done o grant us lord with thee to die with thee to rise anew grant us the things of earth to fly the things of heaven pursue hymn cx see the destined day arise see a willing sacrifice to redeem our fatal loss jesus hangs upon the cross jesu who but thou had borne lifted on that tree of scorn every pang and bitter throe finishing thy life of woe who but thou had dared to drain steeped in gall the cup of pain and with tender body bare thorns and nails and piercing spear thence poured forth the water flowed mingled from thy side with blood sign to all attesting eyes of the finished sacrifice holy jesu grant us grace in that sacrifice to place all our trust for life renewed pardoned sin and promised good grant us grace to sing to thee in the trinal unity ever with the sons of light blessed honour glory might amen him one hundred eleven o come and mourn with me awhile see mary calls us to her side o come and let us mourn with her jesus our love is crucified have we no tears to shed for him while soldiers scoff and jews deride ah look how patiently he hangs jesus our love is crucified how fast his hands and feet are nailed his blessed tongue with thirst is tied his failing eyes are blind with blood jesus our love is crucified his mother cannot reach his face she stands in helplessness beside her heart is martyred with her sons jesus our love is crucified seven times he spoke seven words of love and all three hours his silence cried for mercy on the souls of men jesus our love is crucified o break o break hard heart of mine thy weak self-love and guilty pride his pilate and his judas were jesus our love is crucified a broken heart a fount of tears ask and they will not be denied a broken heart love's cradle is jesus our love is crucified o love of god o sin of man in this dread act your strength is tried and victory remains with love for he our love is crucified him one hundred twelve forgive them o my father for they know not what they do the saviour spake in anguish as the sharp nails went through no pained reproaches gave he to them that shed his blood but prayer and tenderest pity large as the love of god for me was that compassion for me that tender care i need his wide forgiveness as much as any there it was my pride and hardness that hung him on the tree those cruel nails o saviour were driven in by me and often i have slighted thy gentle voice that chid forgive me too lord jesus i knew not what i did o depth of sweet compassion o love divine and true save thou the souls that slight thee and know not what they do him one hundred thirteen lord when thy kingdom comes remember me thus spake the dying lips to dying ears o faith which in that darkest hour could see the promised glory of the far-off years no kingly sign declares that glory now no ray of hope lights up that awful hour a thorny crown surrounds the bleeding brow the hands are stretched in weakness not in power hark through the gloom the dying saviour saith thou too shalt rest in paradise to-day o words of love to answer words of faith o words of hope for those that live to pray lord when with dying lips my prayer is said grant that in faith thy kingdom i may see and thinking on thy cross and bleeding head may breathe my parting words remember me remember me but not my shame or sin thy cleansing blood hath washed them all away thy precious death for me did pardon when thy blood redeemed me in that awful day remember me and ere i pass away speak thou the assuring word that sets us free and make thy promise to my heart to-day thou too shalt rest in paradise with me hymn cxiv the dying robber raised his aching brow to claim the dying lord for company and heard in answer to his trembling vow the promise of the king thou even thou to-day shalt be in paradise with me we too the measure of our guilt confess knowing thy mercy lord our only plea that we like him through judgment and distress for all the weight of our unworthiness may win our way to paradise with thee but so bewildered is our failing heart so dim the lustre of thy royalty we hardly know thee lord for what thou art till we begin to take the better part and lose ourselves in paradise with thee then lift our eyes dear lord from this poor dross to see thee reigning in humility the king of love that resting gain from loss we too may climb the ladder of the cross to find our home in paradise with thee hymn cxv at the cross her station keeping stood the mournful mother weeping close to jesus at the last through her soul of joy bereaved bowed with anguish deeply grieved now at length the sword hath passed o that blessed one grief-laden blessed mother blessed maiden mother of the all-holy one o that silent ceaseless morning o those dim eyes never turning from that wondrous suffering sun who on christ's dear mother gazing in her trouble so amazing born of woman would not weep who on christ's dear mother thinking such a cup of sorrow drinking would not share her sorrow deep for his people's sins in anguish there she saw the victim languish bleed in torments bleed and die saw the lord's anointed taken saw her child in death forsaken heard his last expiring cry in the passion of my maker be my sinful soul partaker may i bear with her my part of his passion bear the token in a spirit bowed and broken bear his death within my heart may his wounds both wound and heal me he enkindle cleanse anneal me be his cross my hope and stay may he when the mountains quiver from that flame which burns forever shield me on the judgment day jesu may thy cross defend me and thy saving death befriend me cherished by thy deathless grace when to dust my dust returneth grant a soul that to thee yearneth in thy paradise a place him one hundred sixteen throned upon the awful tree king of grief i watch with thee darkness veils thine anguished face none its lines of woe can trace none can tell what pangs unknown hold thee silent and alone silent through those three dread hours wrestling with the evil powers left alone with human sin gloom around thee and within till the appointed time is nigh till the lamb of god may die hark that cry that peals aloud upward through the whelming cloud thou the father's only son thou his own anointed one thou dost ask him can it be why hast thou forsaken me lord should fear and anguish roll darkly o'er my sinful soul thou who once wast thus bereft that thine own might ne'er be left teach me by thy bitter cry in the gloom to know thee nigh hymn his are the thousand sparkling rills that from a thousand fountains burst and fill with music all the hills and yet he saith i thirst all fiery pangs on battle-fields on fever beds where sick men toss are in that human cry he yields to anguish on the cross but more than pains that racked him then was the deep longing thirst divine that thirsted for the souls of men dear lord and one was mine o love most patient give me grace make all my soul athirst for thee that parched dry lips that fading face that thirst were all for me him one hundred eighteen it is finished christ hath known all the life of men wayfaring human joys and sorrows sharing making human needs his own lord in us thy life renewing lead us where thy feet have trod till the way of truth pursuing human souls find rest in god it is finished christ is slain on the altar of creation offering for a world's salvation sacrifice of love and pain lord thy love through pain revealing purge our passions scourge our vice till upon the tree of healing self is slain in sacrifice it is finished christ our king wins the victor's crown of glory sun and stars recite his story floods and fields his triumph sing lord whose praise the world is telling lord to whom all power is given by thy death hell's armies quelling bring thy saints to reign in heaven hymn cxix and now beloved lord thy soul resigning into thy father's arms with conscious will calmly with reverent grace thy head inclining the throbbing brow and labouring breast grow still o love o'er mortal agony victorious now is thy triumph now that cross shall shine to earth's remotest age revered and glorious of suffering and deepest mystery the sign my saviour in mine hour of mortal anguish when earth grows dim and round me falls the night oh breathe thy peace as flesh and spirit languish at that dread eventide let there be light to thy dear cross turn thou mine eyes in dying lay but my fainting head upon thy breast those outstretched arms receive my latest sighing and then oh then thine everlasting rest him one hundred twenty it is finished blessed jesus thou hast breathed thy latest sigh teaching us the sons of adam how the son of god can die lifeless lies the pierced body resting in its rocky bed thou hast left the cross of anguish for the mansions of the dead in the hidden realms of darkness shines a light unseen before when the lord of dead and living enters at the lowly door lo in spirit rich in mercy comes he from the world above preaching to the souls in prison tidings of his dying love lo the heavenly light around him as he draws his people near all amazed they come rejoicing at the gracious words they hear patriarch and priest and prophet gather round him as he stands in adoring faith and gladness hearing of the pierced hands there in lowliest joy and wonder stands the robber by his side reaping now the blessed promise spoken by the crucified jesus lord of our salvation let thy mercy rest on me grant me too when life is finished rest in paradise with thee hymn one twenty one by jesus grave on either hand while night is brooding o'er the land the sad and silent mourners stand at last the weary life is o'er the agony and conflict sore of him who all our sufferings bore deep in the rock's sepulchral shade the lord by whom the world was made the saviour of mankind is laid o hearts bereaved and sore distressed here is for you a place of rest here leave your griefs on jesus breast end of part seven part eight of the easter mystery of jesus christ this librivox recording is in the public domain part eight the english hymnal hymn texts for eastertide hymn ye choirs of new jerusalem to sweet new strains attune your theme the while we keep from care released with sober joy our paschal feast when christ unconquered lion first the dragons change by rising burst and while with living voice he cries the dead of other ages rise engorged in former years their prey must death and hell restore to-day and many a captive soul set free with jesus leaves captivity right gloriously he triumphs now worthy to whom should all things bow and joining heaven and earth again links in one common weal the twain and we as these his deeds we sing his suppliant soldiers pray our king that in his palace bright and vast we may keep watch and ward at last long as unending ages run to god the father laud be done to god the son our equal praise and god the holy ghost we raise amen hymn one twenty three the day draws on with golden light glad songs go echoing through the height the broad earth lifts an answering cheer the deep makes moan with wailing fear for lo he comes the mighty king to take from death his power and sting to trample down his gloomy reign and break the weary prisoner's chain in close he lay in rocky cell with guard of armed sentinel but thence returning strong and free he comes with pomp of jubilee part two the sad apostles mourn him slain nor hope to see their lord again their lord whom rebel thralls defy arine accuse and doom to die but now they put their grief away the pains of hell are loosed to-day for by the grave with flashing eyes your lord is risen the angel cries maker of all to thee we pray fulfil in us thy joy to-day when death assails grant lord that we may share thy paschal victory to thee who dead again dost live all glory lord thy people give all glory as is ever meet to father and to paraclete amen hymn one twenty four his cheering message from the grave an angel to the women gave full soon your master ye shall see he goes before to galilee but while with flying steps they press to bear the news all eagerness their lord the living lord they meet and prostrate fall to kiss his feet so when his mourning followers heard the tidings of that faithful word quick went they forth to galilee their loved and lost once more to see part two on that fair day of paschal joy the sunshine was without alloy when to their very eyes restored they looked upon the risen lord the wounds before their eyes displayed they see in living light arrayed and that they see they testify in open witness fearlessly o christ the king of gentleness our several hearts do thou possess that we may render all our days thy meed of thankfulness and praise maker of all to thee we pray fulfil in us thy joy to-day when death assails grant lord that we may share thy paschal victory to thee who dead again dost live all glory lord thy people give all glory as ever meet to father and to paraclete amen hymn the lamb's high banquet we await in snow-white robes of royal state and now the red sea's channel past to christ our prince we sing at last upon the altar of the cross his body hath redeemed our loss and tasting of his roseate blood our life is hid with him in god that paschal eve god's arm was bared the devastating angel spared by strength of hand our hosts went free from pharaoh ruthless tyranny now christ our paschal lamb is slain the lamb of god that knows no stain the true oblation offered here our own unleavened bread sincere o thou from whom hell's monarch flies o great o very sacrifice thy captive people are set free and endless life restored in thee for christ arising from the dead from conquered hell victorious sped he thrust the tyrant down to chains and paradise for man regains maker of all to thee we pray fulfil in us thy joy to-day when death assails grant lord that we may share thy paschal victory to thee who dead again dost live all glory lord thy people give all glory as is ever meet to father and to paraclete amen hymn one twenty six a brighter dawn is breaking and earth with praise is waking for thou o king most highest the power of death defiest and thou hast come victorious with risen body glorious who now forever livest and life abundant givest o free the world from blindness and fill the world with kindness give sinners resurrection bring striving to perfection in sickness give us healing endow't thy clear revealing that praise to thee be given in earth as in thy heaven hymn one twenty seven hallelujah hallelujah hearts to heaven and voices raise sing to god a hymn of gladness sing to god a hymn of praise he who on the cross a victim for the world's salvation bled jesus christ the king of glory now is risen from the dead christ is risen christ the first-fruits of the holy harvest field which with all its full abundance at his second coming yield then the golden ears of harvest will their heads before him wave ripened by his glorious sunshine from the furrows of the grave christ is risen we are risen shed upon us heavenly grace rain and dew and gleams of glory from the brightness of thy face that we lord with hearts in heaven here on earth may fruitful be and by angel hands be gathered and be ever safe with thee alleluia alleluia glory be to god on high to the father and the saviour who has gained the victory glory to the holy spirit fount of love and sanctity alleluia alleluia to the triune majesty amen one twenty eight at the lamb's high feast we sing praise to our victorious king who hath washed us in the tide flowing from his pierced side praise we him whose love divine gives the guests his blood for wine gives his body for the feast love the victim love the priest where the paschal blood is poured death's dark angel sheaths his sword israel's hosts triumphant go through the wave that drowns the foe christ the lamb whose blood was shed paschal victim paschal bread with sincerity and love eat we manna from above mighty victim from on high powers of hell beneath thee lie death is broken in the fight thou hast brought us life and light now thy banner thou dost wave conquering satan and the grave see the prince of darkness quelled heaven's bright gates are open held paschal triumph paschal joy only sin can this destroy from sin's death do thou set free souls reborn dear lord in thee hymns of glory songs of praise father unto thee we raise risen lord all praise to thee ever with the spirit be hymn 129 christ the lord is risen again christ hath broken every chain hark the angels shout for joy sing evermore on high alleluia he who gave for us his life who for us endured the strife is our paschal lamb today we too sing for joy and say alleluia he who bore all pain and loss comfortless upon the cross lives in glory now on high pleads for us and hears our cry he whose path no records tell who descended into hell who the strong man armed hath bound now in highest heaven is crowned alleluia now he bids us tell abroad how the lost may be restored how the penitent forgiven how we too may enter heaven alleluia thou our paschal lamb indeed christ to-day thy people feed take our sins and guilt away that we all may sing for aye alleluia hymn cxxx christians to the paschal victim offer your thankful praises a lamb the sheep redeemeth christ who only is sinless reconcileth sinners to the father death and life have contended in that combat stupendous the prince of life who died reigns immortal speak mary declaring what thou sawest wayfaring the tomb of christ who is living the glory of jesu's resurrection bright angels attesting the shroud and napkin resting yea christ my hope is risen to galilee he goes before you happy they who hear the witness mary's word believing above the tales of jewry deceiving christ indeed from death is risen our new life obtaining have mercy victor king ever reigning m one thirty one come ye faithful raise the strain of triumphant gladness god hath brought his israel into joy from sadness loosed from pharaoh's bitter yoke jacob's sons and daughters led them with unmoistened foot through the red sea waters tis the spring of souls to-day christ hath burst his prison and from three days sleep in death as a sun hath risen all the winter of our sins long and dark is flying from his light to whom we give laud and praise undying now the queen of seasons bright with the day of splendour with the royal feast of feasts comes its joy to render comes to glad jerusalem who with true affection welcomes in unwearied strains jesu's resurrection neither might the gates of death nor the tomb's dark portal nor the watchers nor the seal hold thee as a mortal but to-day amidst the twelve thou didst stand bestowing that thy peace which evermore passeth human knowing hymn one thirty two he is risen he is risen tell it out with joyful voice he has burst his three days prison let the whole wide earth rejoice death is conquered man is free christ has won the victory come ye sad and fearful-hearted with glad smile and radiant brow lent's long shadows have departed all his woes are over now and the passion that he bore sin and pain can vex no more come with high and holy hymning chant our lord's triumphant lay not one darksome cloud is dimming yonder glorious morning ray breaking o'er the purple east brighter far our easter feast m one thirty three jesus christ is risen today alleluia our triumphant holy day alleluia who did once upon the cross alleluia suffer to redeem our loss hymns of praise then let us sing alleluia unto christ our heavenly king alleluia who endured the cross and grave alleluia sinners to redeem and save alleluia but the pains that he endured alleluia our salvation have procured alleluia now above the sky he's king alleluia where the angels ever sing alleluia him one thirty four jesus lives thy terrors now can o death no more appal us jesus lives by this we know thou o grave canst not enthrall us jesus lives henceforth is death but the gate of life immortal this shall calm our trembling breath when we pass its gloomy portal jesus lives for us he died then alone to jesus living pure in heart may we abide glory to our saviour giving alleluia jesus lives our hearts know well not from us his love shall sever life nor death nor powers of hell tear us from his keeping ever alleluia jesus lives to him the throne over all the world is given may we go where he is gone rest and reign with him in heaven alleluia hymn one thirty five love's redeeming work is done fought the fight the battle won lo our sun's eclipse is o'er lo he sets in blood

no more

vain the stone the watch the seal christ has burst the gates of hell death in vain forbids his rise christ has opened paradise lives again our glorious king where o death is now thy sting dying once he all doth save where thy victory o grave sore we now where christ has led following our exalted head made like him like him we rise ours the cross the grave the skies hail the lord of earth and heaven praise to thee by both be given thee we greet triumphant now hail the resurrection thou on the resurrection morning soul and body meet again no more sorrow no more weeping no more pain here awhile they must be parted and the flesh its sabbath keep waiting in a holy stillness wrapped in sleep for a while the weary body lies with feet toward the morn till the last and brightest easter day be born but the soul in contemplation utters earnest prayer and strong bursting at the resurrection into song soul and body reunited thenceforth nothing shall divide waking up in christ's own likeness satisfied o the beauty o the gladness of that resurrection day which shall not through endless ages pass away on that happy easter morning all the graves their dead restore father sister child and mother meet once more to that brightest of all meetings bring us jesu christ at last by thy cross through death and judgment holding fast hymn one thirty seven the day of resurrection earth tell it out abroad the passover of gladness the passover of god from death to life eternal from earth unto the sky our christ hath brought us over with hymns of victory our hearts be pure from evil that we may see aright the lord in rays eternal of resurrection light and listening to his accents may hear so calm and plain his own all hail and hearing may raise the victor's strain now let the heavens be joyful and earth her song begin the round world keep high triumph and all that is therein let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend for christ the lord hath risen our joy that hath no end hymn one thirty eight thou hallowed chosen morn of praise that best and greatest shinest lady and queen and day of days of things divine divinest on thee our praises christ adore for ever and for evermore come let us taste the vine's new fruit for heavenly joy preparing to-day the branches with the root in resurrection sharing whom as true god our hymns adore forever and forevermore rise zion rise and looking forth behold thy children round thee from east and west from south and north thy scattered sons have found thee and in thy bosom christ adore forever and forevermore o father o co-eternal son o co-eternal spirit in persons three in substance one and one in power and merit in thee baptized we thee adore for ever and for evermore amen hymn one thirty nine ye choirs of new jerusalem your sweetest notes employ the paschal victory to him in strains of holy joy now judah's lion burst his chains and crushed the serpent's head and brought with him from death's domains the long-imprisoned dead from hell's devouring jaws the prey alone our leader bore his ransomed host pursue their way where he hath gone before triumphant in his glory now his sceptre ruleth all earth heaven and hell before him bow and at his footstool fall while joyful thus his praise we sing his mercy we implore into his palace bright to bring and keep us evermore all glory to the father be all glory to the son all glory holy ghost to thee while endless ages run alleluia amen hymn lord in thy name thy servants plead and thou hast sworn to hear thine is the harvest thine the seed the fresh and fading year our hope when autumn winds blew wild we trusted lord with thee and still now spring has on us smiled we wait on thy decree the former and the latter rain the summer sun and air the green ear and the golden grain all thine are ours by prayer thine too by right and ours by grace the wondrous growth unseen the hopes that soothe the fears that brace the love that shines serene so grant the precious things brought forth by sun and moon below that thee in thy new heaven and earth we never may forego end of part eight part nine of the easter mystery of jesus christ this libervox recording is in the public domain part nine the english hymnal hymn text for ascension tide and pentecost pentecost is also called whitsun hymn one forty one eternal monarch king most high whose blood hath brought redemption nigh by whom the death of death was wrought and conquering grace battle fought ascending to the throne of might and seated at the father's right all power in heaven is jesus own that here his manhood hath not known that so in nature's triple frame each heavenly and each earthly name and things in hell's abyss abhorred may bend the knee and own him lord yea angels tremble when they see how changed is our humanity that flesh hath purged what flesh hath stained and god the flesh of god hath reigned be thou our joy and strong defence who art our future recompense so shall the light that springs from thee be ours through all eternity o risen christ ascended lord all praise to thee let earth accord who art while endless ages run with father and with spirit one amen him one forty two o christ our joy to whom is given a throne o'er all the thrones of heaven in thee whose hand all things obey the world's vain pleasures pass away so suppliants here we seek to win thy pardon for thy people's sin that by thine all-prevailing grace uplifted we may seek thy face and when all heaven beneath thee bowed thou comest to judgment throned in cloud then from our guilt wash out the stain and give us our lost crowns again be thou our joy and strong defence who art our future recompense so shall the light that springs from thee be ours through all eternity o risen christ ascended lord all praise to thee let earth accord who art while endless ages run with father and with spirit one amen hymn hail the day that sees him rise alleluia glorious to his native skies alleluia christ a while to mortals given alleluia enters now the highest heaven alleluia there the glorious triumph waits alleluia lift your heads eternal gates alleluia christ hath vanquished death and sin alleluia take the king of glory in see the heaven its lord receives alleluia yet he loves the earth he leaves alleluia though returning to his throne alleluia still he calls mankind his own alleluia see he lifts his hands above alleluia see he shows the prince of love hark his gracious lips bestow alleluia blessings on his church below alleluia still for us he intercedes alleluia his prevailing death he pleads alleluia near himself prepares our place alleluia harbinger of human race lord thou parted from our sight alleluia far above yon azure height alleluia grant our hearts may thither rise alleluia seeking thee beyond the skies alleluia there we shall with thee remain alleluia partners of thine endless reign alleluia there thy face unclouded see alleluia find our heaven of heavens in thee hymn one forty four o christ our hope our heart's desire redemption's only spring creator of the world art thou its saviour and its king how vast the mercy and the love which laid our sins on thee and led thee to a cruel death to set thy people free but now the bonds of death are burst the ransom has been paid and thou art on thy father's throne in glorious robes arrayed O may Thy mighty love prevail our sinful souls to spare, and may we come before Thy throne and find acceptance there.

So for those who aren't familiar, again, neither of us are Catholic, but I'm Eastern Orthodox, and so we have a lot of similarities in terms of the calendar of events preceding Easter.

So we talk about here Passion Tide liturgy.

They talk about Stations of the Cross, things like that.

That's not what they're doing necessarily here.