The words are by Angela Cave, and the music is by Mainz, circa 1628. I have always loved this melody for its melancholic mood that fits the words so beautifully. Imagining Mary erect throughout the Crucifixion is what strikes me most. She loved her Son a lot to be able to stand there, supporting Him. She had every right to wail with grief, but instead of falling to pieces in front of Him, she accepted the Cross and suffered silently with Her Son.
Our Lady, who is full of grace,
Stood in anguish at her place;
Stood erect beneath the Cross,
Close to Him Who died for us.
What must we, the guilty feel
As beside the Cross we kneel?
Ours the voices of the foe,
Ours the hand that struck the blow.
Help us, Mary full of grace,
To look upon His suff’ring face;
Then may we closer to thee move,
And learn to look upon His love.
