you above all things - stations of the cross

refrain
I love you, Jesus, you above all things
may I never stray from you again
make me yours and have me do your will
grant that I do love you more each day

stations
after being scourged and crowned with thorns
ridiculed and scorned by passers by
as the fevered mob demanded more
Pilate gave you up to crucify

the soldiers bade you take up your own cross
and carry it off to Golgotha hill
pray let us suffer too your carnal loss
as weak and drained you shouldered all our ills

your flesh was torn by whipping from the guards
such precious blood you had already spilled
so weakened you could scarcely make advance
and stumbled on to where you would be killed

behold your mother stood along the way
and held you firm within her loving gaze
as sorrow washed the tender love you shared
so may we too be joined with you always

and when the soldiers saw how weak you were
lest your early death enrage the crowd
reluctant Simon they constrained to bear
your wooden burden on his shoulders bowed

oh blessed she Veronica by name
seeing you in sweat and blood so bathed
boldly forward with a towel she came
and tenderly did wipe your holy face

a second time you stumbled and you fell
and all your flesh and bone cried out in pain
how many times Lord have I fallen too
and each time you have picked me up again


the women wept to see you so misused
how you suffered to redeem our sin
‘Daughters of Jerusalem,’ he said,
‘weep not for me but for your own children’

and as your killers lashed and drove you on
though you had scarcely strength left to endure
a third time fell your body to the ground
and yet your heart beat on, warm and pure

arriving now to where the cross would stand
your garments all in tatters and blood stained
adhering to your flesh so cruelly rent
the soldiers tore the clothes off that remained

and before the cross was hauled upright
close now to the death that you would face
nails were driven through your hands and feet
so to keep your outstretched limbs in place

three more hours of agony ensued
pain and torment till your final breath
when your body could no more withstand
and dying, bowed your head and came to rest

after you died, came two steadfast men
Joseph and Nicodemus took you down
and in your mothers arms you lay again
who pressed you to her breast one last time

your mother and disciples carried you
to the sepulchre where you would lay
then moved the stone across to close the tomb
and sorrowfully turned and came away

words & music by George Bacon ã2010



lardfumee@gmail.com