In a blog post from 2014, reflecting on Good Friday, I included a hymn I had written, to be set to the tune JESU DULCIS MEMORIA. Almost ten years later, I have finally prepared this musical setting:
Scribd mirror: https://www.scribd.com/document/706718005/When-Time-Had-Come-for-Christ-to-Die
The bare text of the hymn is here:
When time had come for Christ to die,
and Judas had betrayed Him by
a twisted kiss for silver's gain,
the sky did not hold back its rain.
His Blood upon the ground did fall
as guards brought Him the bitter gall.
The sun did darken in that hour
for sorrow did it overpower.
In two spots did blood run that day,
from the betrayer, from betrayed,
in Akeldama's soiled field,
on Golgotha where thunder pealed.
Sixth hour passed when He was nailed,
Ninth hour now the One who's hailed
as He Who comes in the Lord's name
will die the death of the infame.
One thief to Heaven, one to Hell:
the Psalm is now the Lord's death knell.
And letting out His final breath,
the Christ has fin'lly come to death.
Silence now reigns upon the earth,
soaked by the blood of countless worth.
In sorrow is now sealed the Tomb,
of glorious birth the second womb.
Hymn Text ©2014 Brandon P. Otto. Licensed via CC BY-NC. Feel free to redistribute non-commercially, as long as credit is given to the author.
