HYMN: Oh, Pilate Fixed Three Crosses

The Reverend William Weedon, the Director of Worship for the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, once shared a piece written by St. Romanos the Melodist called "Kontakion 22," which is a conversation between Hell and Satan concerning the Crucifixion. (You can find the text in its entirety here.) Weedon once dared a group of hymnwriters to versify the text. I'd never taken up the challenge...until today. In about an hour and a half, while preparing for tonight's service, I threw this text together. My apologies to St. Romanos for rhyming "skull" and "all." Feedback is love.

A blessed and holy Triduum to you and yours.

Oh, Pilate Fixed Three Crosses

1. Oh, Pilate fixed three crosses

On Golgotha, the Skull:

Two for the malefactors,

One for the Life of All. 

Said Hell, "A nail has pierced me,

A wound unto My heart.

A lance has laid me open,

And I am torn apart. 

2. "My insides are in anguish,

My gut in agony,

My spirit is in terror;

It trembles, quaking me. 

And I must vomit Adam,

My prize from Eden's tree,

For this new shoot has opened

My bars to set him free."

3. Said Satan then with cunning, 

"O Hell, why do you groan?

That tree, at which you tremble,

I built there on my own

To kill the Virgin's offspring.

That tree, it is a cross,

To which I nailed Messiah.

New Adam, Christ, has lost!

4. "Fear not, O Hell. Fear nothing!

That tree is barren, dry.

That tree, it cannot harm you,

So hold your head up high.

Do not release the Adam

Imprisoned in your gate.

No paradise awaits him.

Your hold, his only fate."

5. Then Hell replied to Satan,

"You cunning snake, beware!

You must have lost your senses!

Your trap, it holds you there.

Look up, for you have fallen

Into your own dark pit.

That tree which you call barren,

Rich fruit now grows on it.

6. "A Thief that fruit has tasted,

And now he is the heir

Of all of Eden's blessings:

A tree you once thought bare."

Then Satan cried, "You coward!

O Hell, your mumbles cease!

Why fear this cross? Why tremble?

My workings bring me peace.

7. "Your wretched words mean nothing.

This cross, it is my plan. 

For next I will entomb Him

Who sought to free all man.

Then I, O Hell, will mock you

For cowardice, for fear.

No paradise for Adam

When Christ is buried here."

8. Said Hell, "O Satan, listen!

Behold, the Crucified!

The cross, it is His power.

The cross, it is His pride.

For you the cross is folly:

Go see Him there, enthroned!

And on that royal dais

He hears the sinner's groan."

9. Then Satan heard with horror

The witness of a thief:

"Remember me, O Jesus,"

He spoke with fresh belief.

With mercy Jesus answered, 

"You faith, it will suffice.

This day will you go with me

Again to Paradise!"

10. Then Satan was astounded.

He wilted then in fear.

"Disdaining His accusers,

A thief He deigns to hear?

To Pilate He said nothing;

He welcomes home a thief?

His works bring condemnation,

No merit or relief."

11. The devil cried still louder,

"Receive me, then, O Hell,

For I did not believe you.

With you I now shall dwell.

The tree at which you shuddered,

Made red with watered blood

Which flowed from piercèd Jesus

Will work Old Adam's good."

12. They cried out both together,

"Oh, let us now lament!

This tree which we have planted

This Jesus now has bent

Into a holy shelter

For murderers and thieves,

A tree with shade most pleasant

With fruit that now relieves.

13. "This cross has now been shapen

Into a Tree of Life!

Now paradise awaits them

Who then faced only strife."

Then Hell said to the tyrant,

"O let that cross be bare!"

And Satan answered quickly,

"I'll kill nobody there.

14. "You also, murder no one.

Let us draw back our hand

And leave the race of Adam

With Christ the Lord to stand.

For all of Adam's children

Unto the cross are sealed,

And life to them is given:

A precious pearl revealed.

15. "That pearl a Thief has taken

Upon the holy tree,

And having borne that treasure,

He died without a plea.

That Thief, the Son of Mary,

Well-suited to His trade,

Was called again to Eden,

The Paradise remade."

16. O Highest and most Holy, 

O God of age and youth,

Your outrage is our honor,

The cross, our boast, our truth.

Unto our hearts we nail it

With songs to Christ addressed,

For His great cross shall bring us

To Paradise the blest!

76 76 D

Tune: EWING (LSB 672)

Occasion: Good Friday

Text: Kontakion 22 by Romanos the Melodist