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 15:17–18

Introduction

portrait
Michael Lonneke (1943–)

Words: Will­iam P. Bal­fern, Geth­se­ma­ne; or, In­ci­dents in the Great Sor­row, with Hymns of the Pas­sion (Lon­don: Nel­son & Sons, 1882), pag­es 278–79.

Music: Mills­paugh Mi­chael Lon­ne­ke, 2005 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Bal­fern (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

They clothed Him in a purple robe,
And mocking, bowed the knee;
In His pale brow, all crowned with thorns,
No glo­ry could they see.
Within His hand they placed a reed,
And smote His sacred face;
Rude furrows on His back they plowed—
The scars of their disgrace.

Patient our Sav­ior stood, nor spoke
One vengeful, angry word;
Theirs was indeed the cruel hand,
Jehovah’s was the sword.
Love meekly bowed His sacred head
Beneath the vengeful knife;
He for His people freely gave
Himself, His all, His life.

And thus in every age Christ stands
’Mid bold, blaspheming men;
The learnèd pierce Him with their words,
The vulgar cry, Amen.
With scornful hate and subtle thought
They nail His quivering flesh
To the cold pillar of their scorn
And tear his wounds afresh.

And still all silent, patient, meek,
The Lord of glo­ry stands;
His bleeding heart He still displays,
His wounded feet and hands.
But, oh! the glo­ry of His face
Shall yet strike terror down,
And all His foes with fear shall quail
When He shall wear His crown.