At the cry of the first bird
They began to crucify Thee, O Swan!
Never shall lament cease because of that.
It was like the parting of day from night.
Ah, sore was the suff'ring borne
By the body of Mary's Son,
But sorer still to Him was the grief
Which for His sake
Came upon His Mother.


"The Crucifixion"
set by Samuel Barber
text from The Speckled Book, 12th century
translated by Howard Mumford Jones