Scripture Verse

O Jerusalem…how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34

Introduction

portrait
Thomas B. Pollock (1836–1896)

Words: Tho­mas B. Poll­ock, in the Gos­pel­ler, 1870.

Music: Che­shire Es­te’s Psal­ter, 1592 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Poll­ock,

illustration
Christ Carrying the Cross
Jan Sanders van Hemessen
1500–1556

Lyrics

Weep not for Him who onward bears
His cross to Cal­va­ry;
He does not ask
Man’s pitying tears,
Who wills for man to die.

The awful sorrow of His face,
The bowing of His frame,
Come not from torture
Or disgrace;
He fears not cross or shame.

There is a deeper pang of grief,
An agony unknown,
In which His love
Finds no relief;
He bears it all alone.

He thinks of all for whom His life
Of lowliness and pain,
And weariness
And care and strife,
Will be, alas, in vain.

He sees the souls for whom He dies
Yet clinging to their sin,
And heirs of mansions
In the skies
Who will not enter in.

Ah! this, my Sav­ior, was the shame
That bowed Thy head so low;
These were the wounds
That racked Thy frame,
And made Thy tears to flow.

O may I in Thy sorrow share,
And mourn that sins of mine
Should ever wound
With grief or care
That loving heart of Thine.