WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU?

"What Have I Done To You?" is a solemn and deeply moving setting of the Reproaches (the Improperia), traditionally sung during the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday. The lyrics draw us into a profound reflection, voicing the sorrowful questions of Christ to His people. It contrasts the great saving acts of God—leading the Israelites out of Egypt, parting the sea, and providing in the desert—with the bitter reality of the crucifixion.

For a choir, this piece requires a reverent and expressive delivery. The recurring refrain, "My people what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me," serves as a piercing call to the conscience of the congregation. As the verses unfold, the choir alternates between the narrative of God's tender care and the stark responses of humanity, culminating in the Trisagion chorus ("Holy is God. Holy and strong"). It is a powerful anchor for Holy Week liturgies, inviting everyone in the pews into a moment of quiet, penitential grace.