"O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden"/"O, Sacred Head Now Wounded"

An earlier Latin hymn inspired Paul Gerhardt, Lutheran pastor, to compose his own poem which bears the title above. It is a mainstay of  not only Lutheran Good Friday services; its appeal spread beyond its origin.

     Traditionally, German Lutheran Good Friday services include singing all ten verses. Many people know the text by heart. Having been at several such services in the U.S., I can personally attest to the effect of singing the hymn in its entirety. Until rather recently, many, but not all hymns, were meant to serve as stand-along works of devotional impact; in too many cases "songs" in sacred setting merely repeat a phrase or phrases, and appeal more to the emotional. In the hands of someone like Gerhardt, the text can combine doctrinal potency with emotive effect.

    During the Three Days/Triduum, I try to listen to the entire "St. Matthew's Passion" (I received a version as a gift), and if I have time, the "St. John's Passion" (also a gift from a friend who sang the Evangelist's part in California).

from Bach's "St. Matthew Passion""
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4JYwbWwNSs&index=1&list=PLC56A4ABFF6097A60

German text- ignore the English translation here!

http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale071-Eng3.htm

This is a better English translation:

http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh172.htm