When before the cross of Jesus,
Sin and shame thy soul confessing,
Thou did'st supplicate for pardon,
Plead for mercy and a blessing,
He, with body pierced and broken,
All thy debt of sin shall pay,
And the hand by Roman smitten,
Wipes the sinner's tears away.
When beneath thy cares and crosses,
Faith is weak and doubt distressing,
And the burden thou must carry,
On a broken spirit pressing,
He, who wept at Mary's sorrow,
When in death her brother lay,
He as freely, and as kindly,
Wipes the tears of grief away.
When the pains of death are on thee,
Doubt and fear thy soul besetting,
And the hour of tribulation,
Dread and darkness is begetting,
He, whose body once was given
To the grave, where once it lay,
He who conquered death's dominion,
He shall wipe thy tears away.