SURELY HE WAS BORNE OUR GRIEFS

This is a profound and somber chorus from George Frideric Handel's renowned oratorio, Messiah. Drawing its text from the Book of Isaiah, the piece reflects directly on the suffering of Christ, emphasizing that He took upon Himself the pain and sins of humanity.

In the choir lofts of Nigerian parishes, this classical work is a staple during the Lenten season and Holy Week, especially for Good Friday veneration. Its heavy, deliberate rhythm and poignant four-part harmonies capture the physical and spiritual weight of the cross.

Singing this piece requires a choir to lean into its deep emotional resonance. The stark, rhythmic declarations—"wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our iniquities"—invite the listening congregation into a space of quiet reverence and penitence, offering a powerful meditation on the cost of redemption.