On Our Saviour’s Passion

On Our Saviour’s Passion is a sacred song for voice and basso continuo with a text by Francis Quarles. It was first published in 1688.

OnOurSaviour’sPassion
TheEarthtrembled,andHeav’n’sclos’dEye
WaslothtoseetheLordofGlorydie;
TheSkywascladinMourning,andtheSpheres
Forgottheirharmony;theCloudsdrop’dTears:
Th’ambitiousDeadarosetogivehimroom,
Andev’ryGravedidgapetobehisTomb.
Th’affrightedHeav’nssentdownElegiousThunder;
TheWorld’sFoundationloos’dtoloseitsFounder.
Th’impatientTemplerentherVeilintwo,
ToteachourHeartswhatoursadHeartsshoulddo.
Cansenselessthingsdothis,andshallnotI
Meltonepoordrop,toseemySaviourdie?
DrillforthmyTears,andtrickleonebyone,
‘Tillyouhavepierc’dthisHeartofmine,thisStone.

–FrancisQuarles(1688)