The Head That Once Was Crowned

458 The Head That Once Was Crowned

1 The head that once was crowned with thorns
   Is crowned with glory now;
   A royal diadem adorns
   The mighty Victor's brow.

2 The highest place that heaven affords
   Is His, is His by right,
   The King of kings and Lord of lords,
   And heaven's eternal light,

3 The joy of all who dwell above,
   The joy of all below
   To whom He manifests His love,
   And grants His name to know.

4 To them the cross, with all its shame,
   With all its grace; is given,
   Their name an everlasting name,
   Their joy the joy of heaven.

5 They suffer with their Lord below,
   They reign with Him above,
   Their profit and their joy to know
   The mystery of His love.

6 The cross to them is life and health,
   Though shame and death to Him;
   His people's hope, His people's wealth,
   Their everlasting theme.
                         Thomas Kelley
                         The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition