I

When Jesus to the judgment hall

By cruel men was led,

He wore a purple robe of scorn,

And thorns upon His head; --

They called Him King, and bowed the knee,

And paid Him homage, mockingly.

II

"Away! let Him be crucified!"

The impious shouts proclaim;

And forth they led the Son of God

To die a death of shame;

And passing thence amid' the crowd,

Beneath a ponderous cross He bowed.

III

Behold Him nailed upon the cross

And left alone to die,

While from the awful scene of death

His timid followers fly; --

In agony He groaned and sighed,

And faint, He bowed the head, and died.

IV

Ah, cruel death for Him to die,

Ah, vilest death of shame, --

Who, to redeem our guilty souls,

From God, in pity came; --

The glory of the Father's throne

He left, to make our souls His own.

V

O Jesus, to Thy cross I cling,

For Thou, my Lord, art there,

Who, in Thy love, True Man became,

My load of sin to bear;

And lo, I lift my eyes to heaven,

For God in mercy hath forgiven.