1. To Christ on Golgatha,
My spirit fain would go
To ponder on His words
And His exceeding woe.
2. What pain unspeakable
In this great cry we see:
“My God, My God, oh, why
Hast Thou forsaken Me?”
3. No vengeance in His heart,
I hear Him plead anew,
“Dear Father, pray, forgive;
They know not what they do!”
4. His mother weepeth sore,
He comforteth her now:
“Behold in John thy son.”
“O John, thy mother know.”
5. He comforteth the thief,
And “Verily,” He cries,
“Thou shalt with Me today
Be in yon paradise.”
6. “I thirst!” He crieth then;
There’s no affliction thus,
Which He, the friend of man,
Has not endured for us.
7. He “It is finished!” cries,
And bows His head, – The end:
“O Father, to Thy hands
My spirit I commend.
(Source: The Zion’s Harp #89, I’m not sure as to the author. Anyone know?)
Mark; Betsy and I love that song also. The ACA translates the title of the song “Calvary”, but when I dig out my father’s Zions Harp in German, the title is “Die Sieben Worte Jesu am Kreuze” (The seven words of Christ on the cross). Googling offers no help, but suggests a Catholic origin, with their seven stations of Christ. Ken