"O Sacred Head" genre: Down Tempo
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	Another of our ancient hymn remixes, this time a sort of laid-back house remix of the song often called the "Passion Chorale"
	MP3.com CD: Hymns for Visions - buy it! Credits: Hans Leo Hassler, Fiona and Abbess. Vocals by Sue.
	Story Behind the Song This is a song with an amazing history! Rumour has it that the tune started life back in the 16th century, as a drinking song in the major key! The words were originally penned in Latin by St Bernard but he only wrote one verse.Various people have done translations of the words, and added extra verses which seem to have more variations than any other hymn I've ever seen, and so we felt quite free to make up new words of our own. The backing was Fiona's first attempt at a remix, with help from me. I recon she did pretty well! Lyrics O sacred head surrounded by crown of piercing thorns O royal head so wounded The object of our scorn Deaths shadows rise before you The glow of life decays Yet angel choirs adore you And tremble as they gaze You saw our human sorrows Abuse and pain and war, And all our deadliest horrors The hate lodged at our core. I bow to You our mender, For healing our disgrace. For loving us like no other To save the human race. Your beauty, health and vigour Are crushed, Your strength is gone And in your tortured figure I see death coming on, In agony and dying You bled to make us free We long for transformation Christ turn your face to me What language shall I borrow To thank you dearest friend For all your tortured sorrow Compassion without end! Christ make me yours forever And when at last I die Embrace me then and show me Yourself, Your love, Your life.

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