Ah, Holy Jesus
SAB Choir and organ. Several verses may be sung unaccompanied and although the tune is always present, it travels between the voices for wonderful effect. Very moving and effective during Passiontide. Could easily be done with solos and an SAB trio.
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
That man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.
Who was the guilty?
Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus hath undone thee.
'Twas I Lord, Jesus, I it was denied thee:
I crucified thee.
Lo, the good Shepherd for the sheep is offered:
The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered:
For man's atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.
For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;
Thy death of anguish, and thy bitter passion,
For my salvation.
Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I will adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
Think on thy pity, and thy love unswerving;
Not my deserving.