O Come And Mourn

When Holy Week arrives, the mood in the choir loft shifts. We put away the triumphant anthems and turn to pieces that draw the congregation into the solemnity of the Passion. "O Come And Mourn" is exactly that kind of hymn—a quiet, devastating invitation to stand at the foot of the cross. Arranged here in accessible solfa notation by Lowell Mason, it asks us to keep watch with Mary and witness the crucifixion through her eyes.

The verses walk us through the physical and emotional agony of Good Friday. From the nails in His hands to the helplessness of His mother standing nearby, the text does not shy away from the harsh reality of the Passion. As we sing through the stanzas, the recurring final line—"Jesus our Lord is Crucified"—acts as a heavy, grounding reminder of the sacrifice. It is a piece that demands a gentle, reflective approach from the choir, allowing the weight of the words to settle over the church.

By the time we reach the later verses, the hymn turns inward, asking us to examine our own "weak self-love and guilty pride." It reminds us that our own sins were "His Pilate and His Judas." Singing this during the Veneration of the Cross or Good Friday services brings a profound stillness to the liturgy, helping the faithful to truly mourn, reflect, and ultimately recognize the immense love poured out on Calvary.