At the cross her station keeping
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
where he hung, the dying Lord;
for her soul, of joy bereaved,
bowed with anguish, deeply grieved,
felt the sharp and piercing sword.

O how sad and sore distressed
now was she, that Mother blessed
of the sole-begotten one!
Deep the woe of her affliction,
when she saw the crucifixion
of her ever-glorious Son.

Who, on Christ's dear Mother gazing
pierced by anguish so amazing,
born of woman, would not weep?
who, on Christ's dear Mother thinking
such a cup of sorrow drinking,
would not share her sorrows deep?

For his people's sins chastised,
she beheld her Son despised,
scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined;
saw him then from judgement taken,
and in death by all forsaken,
till his spirit he resigned.

O good Jesu, let me borrow
something of thy Mother's sorrow,
fount of love, Redeemer kind,
that my heart fresh ardour gaining,
and a purer love attaining,
may with thee acceptance find.


Ascribed to Jacopone da Todi (d. 1306)
tr. Edward Caswall (1814-78)