Crown of thorns pierced his brow;
Roman soldiers scourged his back
Uncaring of their cruelty.
Carry the means of his death he must;
In the Via Dolorosa dust
Fell beneath its heavy weight;
Into its wood nailed, hand and foot;
Ended his life at Golgotha;
Drank wormwood, gall and vinegar.

Died when Longinus thrust his spear;
Eased earthwards by Joseph of
Arimathea, who saw him
Decently laid to rest

And to seal the sepulchre did his best,
Not that the seal had long to stay.
Down to the garden where he lay

Buried, both Marys made their way
Unto the tomb, in shock, forlorn,
Rolled back was the stone on that third morn.
In the empty tomb lay his folded shroud,
Evidence of the incarnate Word.
Deo gracias! Risen Lord!