Scripture Verse

They clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, and began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! Mark 15:17

Introduction

illustration
Jesus Mocked by Soldiers
William Brassey Hole
1846–1917

Words: Ti­mo­thy Dud­ley-Smith, 1968.

Music: St. Mat­thew Will­iam Croft, 1708 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
Timothy Dudley-Smith
1926–

Lyrics

A purple robe, a crown of thorn,
A reed in His right hand;
Before the soldiers’ spite and scorn
I see my Savior stand.
He bears between the Roman guard
The weight of all our woe;
A stumbling figure, bowed and scarred,
I see my Savior go.

The following verse fits with only with Common Meter tunes:

Fast to the cross’s spreading span,
High in the sunlit air,
All the unnumbered sins of man
I see my Saviour bear.

He hangs, by whom the world was made,
Beneath the darkened sky;
The everlasting ransom paid,
I see my Savior die.
He shares on high His Father’s throne,
Who once in mercy came;
For all His love to sinners shown
I sing my Savior’s Name.