VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and University Singers
String Orchestra

Note: The traditional text of the Seven Last Words from the Cross
is based on a compilation from all four gospels to form a sequential presentation of the last seven sentences uttered by Christ.

I.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
—Luke 23:24

Hosanna to the Son of David,
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
The King of Israel, Hosanna in the Highest!
—The Palm Sunday Exclamation

The life that I held dear I delivered into the hands of the
unrighteous and my inheritance has become for me like a lion in the forest. My enemy spoke out against me, ‘Come gather together and hasten to devour him.’ They placed me in a wasteland of desolation, and all the earth mourned for me. For there was no one who would acknowledge me or give me help. Men rose up against me and spared not my life.
—From the Good Friday Responsories for Tenebrae

II.
Woman, behold thy Son!… Behold thy Mother!
—John 19:26-27

III.
Verily, I say unto you, today thou shalt be with me in Paradise.
—Luke 23:43

Behold the Wood of the Cross
on which the Savior of the world was hung:
Come let us adore him.
—Good Friday Versicle

IV.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
—Matthew 27:46

V.
I thirst.
—John 19:28
I gave you to drink of life-giving water from the rock:
and you gave me to drink of gall and vinegar.
—From the Good Friday Reproaches

VI.
It is finished.
—John 19:30

My eyes were blind with weeping,
for he that consoled me is far from me:
consider, all you people, is there any sorrow like my sorrow?
All you who pass along this way take heed and consider if there is any sorrow like mine.
—From the Good Friday Responsories for Tenebrae

VII.
Father, into Thy hands I commend my Spirit.
—Luke 23:46