It was written by English hymn-writer, theologian, Roman Catholic convert and priest, Fr Frederick William Faber (1814-1863). It was first published by in Faber’s hymnal Jesus and Mary, in 1852, with all the verses listed below. Most later publications and currently uses include only a selection of the verses, perhaps 1, 3, 5, 11 and 12.
As well, there are a number of variations of the words:
- Some publications have the title and first line as "O Come and Mourn Awhile with me" while others have "O Come and Mourn with me Awhile"
- Some have the last line o each verse as "Jesus, our Love, is crucified!" and others have "Jesus, our Lord is crucified!" - and others mix the two.
- Some have adapted the text to put less emphasis on aspects of Roman Catholic belief.
With meter 8.8.8.8, it is set to tune including:
- ST. CROSS (Dykes) by John Bacchus Dykes (1861)
- OLD HALL GREEN by John Crookall (1821-1887)
- BABYLON by Thomas Campion, 1613
- DAS LEIDEN DES HERRN, a traditional German tune.
- An unnamed tune in the St. Basil Hymnal
Downloads
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Examples
Massed choirs, with a brass ensemble
Choir with organ, tune ST CROSS
Singer with backing track, contemporary setting, tune, TAKE UP THE CROSS
Signer with organ
Singer with guitar, contemporary setting
Singer with band, contemporary setting
Instrumental, tune OLD HALL GREEN
Piano track, words on-screen
Instrumental - piano and violin
Instrumental - piano, tune OLD HALL GREEN
Lyrics
1 O come and mourn with me awhile;See Mary calls us to her side; OR "O come ye to the Saviour's side;"
O come, together let us mourn:
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!
2 Have we no tears to shed for Him,
While soldiers scoff and foes deride?
Ah! Look how patiently He hangs:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified!
3. How fast His feet and hands are nailed;
His blessed tongue with thirst is tied;
His failing eyes are blind with blood.
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.
4 His Mother cannot reach his Face;
She stands in helplessness beside;
Her heart is martyred with her Son’s;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!
5 Seven times He spake seven words of love;
And all three hours His silence cried
For mercy on the souls of men:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified!
6 What was Thy crime, my dearest Lord?
By earth, by heaven, Thou hast been tried,
And guilty found of too much love;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!
7 Found guilty of excess of love,
It was thine own sweet will that tied
Thee tighter far than helpless nails;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!
8 Death came, and Jesus meekly bowed;
His falling eyes he strove to guide
With mindful love to Mary’s face;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!
9 O break, O break, hard heart of mine:
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
his Pilate and his Judas were:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified!
10 Come, take thy stand beneath the Cross,
And let the Blood from out that Side
Fall gently on thee drop by drop;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!
11 A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask, and they will not be denied;
A broken heart love's cradle is,
Jesus, our love is crucified.
12 O love of God! O sin of man!
In this dread act your strength is tried;
And victory remains with love:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified!
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