This hymn is a hymn for Lauds on the Friday after the First Sunday in Lent, dedicated to the Spear and Nails of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The text comes from the Office of the Instruments of the Passion, or the Passion Offices, and was translated by Fr. Caswall for the Lyra Catholica in 1849.
Oh, turn those blessed points, all bath’d
In Jesu’s blood, on me;
Mine were the sins that wrought his death,
Mine be the penalty.
Pierce through my feet, my hands, my heart;
So may some drop distil
Of Blood divine, into my soul,
And all its evil heal.
So shall my feet be slow to sin,
Hamrless my hands shall be;
So from my wounded heart shall each
Forbidden passion flee.
Thee, Jesu, pierc’d with Nails and Spear,
Let every knee adore;
With Thee, O Father, and with Thee,
O Spirit, evermore. Amen.
Words: Passion Offices; tr. Fr. Edward Caswall, 1849.
The original Latin text of this hymn is as follows:
Tincta ergo Christi sanguine*
Convertite in me cuspidem,
Ferite cor, pedes, manus
Poenam a nocente sumite.At quaeso culpis debitas
Quas iure plagas figitis,
Cruore divino illitae
Fiant medele spiritus.Sit gressus ad malum impotens,
Manus nocere desinant,
Omnisque corde e saucio
Profanus ardor exeat.Clavis forato, et Lancea,
Iesu tibi sit gloria,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu
Nunc, et per omne saeculum. Amen.
*Fr. Caswall indicates this verse starts with Tinctam, whereas the Officia de Passione, whence this text is taken, indicates Tincta.
