Choral Variations on Ah, Holy Jesus

Petrich, Roger (1938–2022) Show Biography

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SATB

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Occasion:

Proper of Time → Holy Week → Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Proper of Time → The Sacred Paschal Triduum → Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Publication Information:
Oxford University Press — 94.317 (1965)
ISBN 0-19-385184-9

Text Information:
Reference: The Yattendon Hymnal (translated version), J. Heermann (1585–1647), transl. Robert Bridges (1844-1930)

Lyrics:

I.
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
That man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected, 
O most afflicted.
		             II.
Who was the guilty?  Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.
Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee: 
I crucified thee.
		             III.
Lo, the good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
The slave hath sinned and the Son hath suffered;
For man’s atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.
		             IV.
For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
Thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation;
Thy death of anguish, and thy bitter passion,
For my salvation.
		              V.
Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
Think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
Not my deserving.

Notes: SATB with Soprano divisi. Five short movements.
Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Nov 17, 2021 Last updated: Dec 4, 2023