Our Lord the Path of Suffering Trod

No Shame to Own the Crucified

Our Lord the Path of Suffering Trod is a translation of the 17th century Latin hymn written by Jean-Baptiste de Santeüil (1630-1697), Ex Quo, Sal­us Mor­tal­i­um. The younger brother of poet and hymn writer Claude de San­teüil (1628-1684), Jean-Baptiste was a Can­on Regular of Abbey of St. Vic­tor in Par­is. Although, popular during his lifetime as a writer of Latin poetry (under the pseudonym of San­to­li­us Vic­to­rin­us), most of his hymns were not published until after his death. In 1839, Ex Quo, Sal­us Mor­tal­i­um was translated into English by Isaac Williams (1802-1865). An ordained Anglican Priest, Williams was a contributing member of the Oxford Movement. His translation is set to the anonymous tune, Sal­us Mor­tal­i­um, first published in the Ge­sang­buch of 1663. In the Divine Office, Our Lord the Path of Suffering Trod is used for Morning and Evening Prayer and in the Common of Martyrs.

OUR LORD THE PATH OF SUFFERING TROD by Isaac Williams, 1839 (Public Domain)

1. Our Lord the path of suffering trod;
and, since his sacred blood hath flowed,
'tis meet that man should yield to God
the life he owed. Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. No shame to own the Crucified!
Nay, 'tis our immortality
that we confess our God who died,
and for him die. Alleluia! Alleluia!

3. Seeing above the golden crown,
into death's arms he willing goes:
dying, he conquers death; o'erthrown,
o'erthrows his foes. Alleluia! Alleluia!

4. Lord, make us thine own soldiers true;
that we may gain the spirit pure,
and for thy Name, thy cross in view,
all things endure. Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. Eternal Father of the world,
eternal Word, we thee adore,
eternal Spirit, God and Lord
for evermore. Alleluia! Alleluia!