Sacred Music Online

O Pierce My Heart Through (Ode to John the Baptist)

Words: Robert Loretz
Music: Robert Loretz
The first line of the music derives from ancient syriac chant, and the rest is newly composed. The song has a haunted and yearning spirit, befitting the thirst of Advent for the coming of the Son. Elijah through John the Baptist will herald both comings of Christ. He is there even to welcome the unborn Christ and to dance before the ark which is Mary - he prepared for the ministry and passion of Jesus, entered that passion prematurely due to his unflinching witness to the truth of marriage, and took a special place at the marriage of the Lamb and the Church, as Christ’s best man. We call on him to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming: at Christmas, at each Mass and at the end of time, when He comes in glory.

You gained Elijah’s spirit by God’s choice,
Your father gained a voice in naming you John,
Yet you would name yourself only a voice,
whose cry proclaims the advent of the Son.
O pierce my heart through, O prophet best,
That Christ the pierced Lamb become my guest.
Make my path straight, make me whole,
Water the desert of my thirsting soul.

Once naked in the dark of the womb,
As Mary carried Light and Life to your heart,
In joy you dance the Ark into the room,
and rest entranced by sweet “Magnificat!”
O pierce my heart through, O prophet best,
That Christ the pierced Lamb become my guest.
Make my path straight, make me whole,
Water the desert of my thirsting soul.

Emerging from the desert to preach,
That we no longer live in darkness and gloom,
And as you fast, you usher in a feast,
Where you, once last, are best man of the groom.
O pierce my heart through, O prophet best,
That Christ the pierced Lamb become my guest.
Make my path straight, make me whole,
Water the desert of my thirsting soul.

What God has joined man cannot divide.
E’en silencing your voice gave heav’n on a plate.
And that you win both Lamb and holy Bride,
You pass through Him whose piercing is the Gate.
O pierce my heart through, O prophet best,
That Christ the pierced Lamb become my guest.
Make my path straight, make me whole,
Water the desert of my thirsting soul.

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