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INTRODUCTION
Soprano
O all ye who travel upon the highway, hearken to me, and behold me: was
e'er sorrow like unto my sorrow? For the Lord Almighty hath dealt bitterly
with me. Call me now no more Naomi, from to-day call me Mara.
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| FIRST WORD
Tenor, Baritone
and Chorus
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Matthew 27:46)
And the people clamor'd: He is death-guilty; take him, take him, let us
crucify him! Be his blood on us, and on our children!
Then they did crucify Jesus, and the two thieves; one at His right hand,
the other at His left hand.
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| SECOND WORD
Duet, Tenor
and Baritone, with chorus
Verily, thou shalt be in Paradise today with me. Amen, so I tell thee.
(Luke 23:43)
Hear me, O Lord, and remember me, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
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| THIRD WORD
Soprano, Tenor,
Baritone, and chorus
See, O woman! here behold thy Son beloved. (John 19:26-27)
See yon mother, bow'd in anguish, Who beside the cross doth languish,
Where on high her son is borne;
Is there mortal, who not feeleth To behold her where she kneeleth, So
woeful, and all forlorn?
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| FOURTH WORD
Baritone
God, my father, why hast Thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
All those who were my friends, all have now forsaken me, and they that
hate me do now prevail against me; and he whom I have cherished, he hath
betray'd me.
Even the vine that I have chosen, and I have planted: wherefore art thou
now so strangely turned into bitterness, that I by thee am crucified?
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FIFTH WORD
Tenor, Baritone
and Chorus
I am athirst! (John 19:28)
And the Jews then passing by him, all did rail upon him, and wagging their
heads at him, they said unto him:
Ah! Thou wouldst fain destroy the temple; if thou be Jesus, Son of the
Father, now from the cross descend thou, that we behold it, and believe
on thee when we behold it. If thou art king over Israel, save thyself,
then!
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| SIXTH WORD
Tenor and Chorus
Father, into Thy hands I commend my soul. (Luke 23:46)
For Thou art my God and my Father; Thou art my Saviour.
Into Thy hands I commend my soul.
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| SEVENTH WORD
Soprano, Tenor,
Baritone and chorus
And with a loud voice Jesus cried, exclaiming:
It is finished! (John 19:30)
And it was about the sixth hour: and the sun was darkened, and darkness
covered the earth, until about the ninth hour: and the veil of the temple
was rent, and all the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent, and all
the graves were opened wide.
And He did bow His head, and rendered up His spirit.
Prayer
Christ, we do all adore Thee, and we do praise Thee forever; for on the
holy cross hast thou the world from sin redeemed.
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