Head and body bent in effort

Head and body bent in effort,
Forced to bear a heavy cross,
As a sheep led to the slaughter,
Mute, enduring shame and loss.

Thorn-crowned head and hanging body,
Piercèd hands and wounded side,
God-abandoned, Satan-ravaged,
Cruelly mocked and crucified.

Thou didst not leap down from judgment
Nor for angels’ rescue cry.
But allowed man’s crushing treatment,
God’s demands to satisfy.

Spotless Lamb, Thy body broken,
E’en the sun its face did hide.
New and living way Thou opened,
Bringing sinners to God’s side.