Bach's gripping masterpiece pulls you into the last days of Jesus's life. Lovely harmonization and lyrics. One of the most sacred choral pieces of all time. Peace and love to all at Eastertide.
Found the lyrics! Couldn't find them in any hymnal I currently have access to...but here they are haha 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 splendor the hosts of heaven adore! Thy beauty, long-desirèd, hath vanished from our sight; thy power is all expirèd, 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, O 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.
khooby922 I sung this at primary school in the 50s and 60s. Always my favourite, and then when I first heard the Matthew Passion in which it plays such a significant part, I was bowled over. Bach simply was the greatest musical genius ever! In my opinion!
In fact, he has not. The melody was composed and published in 1601 by German composer Hans Leo Hassler. The text (originally in Latin) was probably written by Arnulf of Louvain in the 13th century. The melody and text (now translated into German) were first put together by Paul Gerhardt in 1656, another German composer. Bach only harmonized the melody in the end, but did so very beautifully.
Why are organist always appointed choirmasters? Why not appoint a true choral expert? And most organist and so called choral experts these day, don't know how to correctly train boys and girls how to sing correctly; lowered relaxed jaw, throat and Adam's apple.
Thanks so much for the historical information on this hymn. Very ineresting and informative. I was aware that J. S. Bach had employed the tune 8 times in three choral works. That would have to be the ultimate compliment for Hassler's melody.
Bach is ususally credited with the harmonization. He often borrowed from the hymns of Luther and others but used only the basic melody and then added complex harmonies around the melody ( A Mighty Fortress is another example).
Am not really certain, but on the top of my special arrangement sheet music of O Sacred Head Now Wounded (or Sore Wounded) it's titled: Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen - BMV 727
I’ve pointed this out to a few professional Church musicians and been surprised to learn they had not spotted it themselves. It came to me one Sunday while sitting in a pew, perusing the hymnal during a boring sermon. The funny part is, I can’t even read music. I was just remembering the tunes in my head, and when I came to O Sacred Head, and the tune came to me, I had a flash of recognition. As soon as I got home, I had to dig out my one Paul Simon album, which happens to include American Tune. Bingo!
"...My daughter, you must not respond or try to defend My Word when challenged to explain why I would speak in this way. My Word is Divine. It must not be changed or amended to suit those who consider themselves experts in theological law; for My Word will be given to the world in a language which will be clearly understood by mankind today. Many will ask why these Words do not use the same terminology or expressions used by My prophets and apostles of old and I will answer them now. Remember My Teachings never change. No matter what language I use today to communicate in a modern way, the Truth remains the same, intact. Be wary of visionaries or seers who claim that they are receiving messages from Me, who use ancient language or extracts from the Holy Bible; for this is not the way in which I would communicate to mankind today. Why would I do that? Would I not alienate a new generation, those who are ignorant of the language contained in My Father’s Holy Book? Simplicity is the key, My children, when communicating My Most Holy Word. Remember, when teaching others of the Truth of My Existence, that simplicity in your approach is essential. If you do not do this, you will not reach those lost souls, because they will turn a deaf ear. My Message of Love The Message of My Love is very simple. I Am the Life that My children on Earth crave. Explain that I Am the Truth. Make this clear. Without Me there is no eternal life. Use the prophecies, which I reveal to this messenger, to gain the attention of non-believers. For this is why they are being given to the world. Not to frighten them, but to prove that I Am now communicating today in a way in which My Most Holy Word will not only be heard, but believed. Your loving Saviour and Teacher Jesus Christ, King of Mercy " - See more at: web.archive.org/web/20140216193732/www.thewarningsecondcoming.com/why-i-communicate-to-the-world-in-this-way/#sthash.0BTZfC9B.dpuf d,f,f6
![King's College Cambridge Easter O Sacred head Sore Wounded JS [Bach] [2011]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
