For taking on our sin to the cross.

Buford T. Justice said:

---

For taking on our sin to the cross.

---

Amen.

Amen!! He paid our price!!

No disgrace was too abhorrent:
nailed and mocked and parched he died;
blood and water, double warrant,
issue from his wounded side,
washing in a mighty torrent
earth and stars and oceantide.

Faithful Cross the saints rely on,
noble tree beyond compare!
Never was there such a scion,
never leaf or flow'r so rare.
Sweet the timber, sweet the iron,
sweet the burden that they bear!

Lofty timber, smooth your roughness,
flex your boughs for blossoming;
let your fibers lose their toughness,
gently let your tendrils cling;
lay aside your native gruffness,
clasp the body of your King!

Noblest tree of all created,
richly jeweled and embossed:
post by Lamb's blood consecrated;
spar that saves the tempest tossed;
scaffold beam which, elevated,
carries what the world has cost!

Wisdom, pow'r, and adoration
to the blessed Trinity
for redemption and salvation
through the Paschal Mystery,
now, in ev'ry generation,
and for all eternity. Amen.

Tune: PICCARDY 8 7 8 7 8 7
Music: from Julien Tiersot's Mlodies populaires des provinces de France, 1887
or Mode I, melody 12; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: En acetum, fel, arundo, Venantius Fortunatus, ca. 530-600, 2023 ICEL