Man of Sorrows Wrapt in Grief

This hymn of repentance, suitable for Lent and in particular Good Friday, was written by English Anglican (then later Roman Catholic convert) poet Matthew Bridges (1800-1894).

With meter 77 77 D, tunes it is set to include:

• ABERYSTWYTH (Parry) by Welch composer Joseph Parry (1841-1903) - the most commonly used tune, by some accounts
• ARFON - a traditional melody from Wales and/or France
• An unnamed tune "from a Slovak hymnal" arranged by Nocola Montani
• TICHFIELD (Richardson) by John Richardson (1853)
• ST GEORGE’S WINDSOR by George J Elvey (1816-1893)
• KINGSWOOD by Geoffrey Laycock

Books it has been published in include:

• The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book. Singers' ed., Melody ed. (1920)
• Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New
• Complete Mission Praise
• New Catholic Hymnal, Faber 1971 

and these appear to be the best sources of sheet music for it today.

Downloads

Lead sheet (melody + guitar chords)

PowerPoint
slides

Examples

Instrumental version of ABBERYSTWYTH - organ:

Instrumental version of ABBERYSTWYTH - brass band:

Lyrics

Man of sorrows, wrapt in grief,
Bow Thine ear to our relief;
Thou for us the path hast trod
Of the dreadful wrath of God;
Thou the cup of fire hast drained
Till its light alone remained.
Lamb of Love! We look to Thee;
Hear our mournful litany.

By the garden, fraught with woe,
Whither Thou full oft wouldst go;
By Thine agony of prayer
In the desolation there;
By the dire and deep distress
Of that myst'ry fathomless;
Lord, our tears in mercy see;
Hearken to our litany.

By the chalice brimming o'er
With disgrace and torment sore;
By those lips which fain would pray
That it might but pass away;
By the Heart which drank it dry,
Lest a rebel race should die
Be Thy pity, Lord our plea;
Hear our solemn litany.

Man of Sorrows Let Thy grief
Purchase for us our relief;
Lord of Mercy! Bow Thine ear,
Slow to anger, swift to hear;
By the Cross's royal road
Lead us to the throne of God,
There for aye to sing to Thee
Heav'n's triumphant litany.