At the Cross Her Station Keeping

Verse 1

At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last.

Verse 2

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed.

Verse 3

O how sad and sore distressed, Was that Mother highly blest Of the sole begotten One!

Verse 4

Christ above in torment hangs, She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying, glorious Son.

Verse 5

Is there one who would not weep, Whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Verse 6

Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain, In that Mother's pain untold?

Verse 7

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, She beheld her tender Child, All with bloody scourges rent.

Verse 8

For the sins of his own nation Saw him hang in desolation Till his spirit forth he sent.

Verse 9

O thou Mother! Font of love, Touch my spirit from above, Make my heart with thine accord.

Verse 10

Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ, my Lord.

Verse 11

Holy Mother, pierce me through, In my heart each wound renew Of my Savior crucified.

Verse 12

Let me share with thee his pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torment died.

Verse 13

Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning him who mourned for me, All the days that I may live.

Verse 14

By the cross with thee to stay; There with thee to weep and pray, All I ask of thee to give.

Verse 15

Virgin of all Virgins best! Listen to my fond request: Let me share thy grief divine.

Verse 16

Stabat Mater dolorosa Juxta crucem lacrimosa, Dum pendebat Filius.

Verse 17

Cujus animam gementem, contristatam et dolentem, Pertransivit gladius.

Verse 18

O quam tristis et afflicta Fuit illa benedicta, Mater Unigeniti!

Verse 19

Quae maerebat et dolebat, Pia Mater, dum videbat Nati poenas inclyti.

Verse 20

Quis non posset contristari, Piam Matrem contemplari Dolentem cum Filio?

Verse 21

Quis est homo qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si videret In tanto supplicio?

Verse 22

Pro peccatis suae gentis vidit Iesum in tormentis, et flagellis subditum.

Verse 23

Vidit suum dulcem Natum Moriendo desolatum, Dum emisit spiritum.

Verse 24

Eia Mater, fons amoris, Me sentire vim doloris Fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Verse 25

Fac ut ardeat cor meum in amando Christum Deum, ut sibi complaceam.

Verse 26

Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas Cordi meo valide.

Verse 27

Tui Nati vulnerati, Tam dignati pro me pati, Poenas mecum divide.

Verse 28

Fac me vere tecum flere, Crucifixo condolere, Donec ego vixero.

Verse 29

Juxta crucem tecum stare, Ac me tibi sociare In planctu desidero.

Verse 30

Virgo virginum praeclara, Mihi jam non sis amara: Fac me tecum plangere.