There's a hymn, "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" that is one of the most beautiful songs I know. The words as well as the melody are slow and painfully bittersweet. I imagine it particularly as being sung by the followers of Christ as he hung dying on the cross. It seems appropriate to have a rendition of it in this space on Good Friday.

"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"

O sacred head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns thine only crown,
How pale thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

What thou, my God, hast suffered was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but thine the deadly pain!
Lo, here I fall, my Savior -- tis I deserve thy place.
Look on me with thy favor, vouchsafe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest friend,
For this thy dying sorrow, thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever! And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never, outlive my love to thee.

Iss "never, never" achar