Paul Mason used a C15 Dominican chant for this text as a basis for his version of the Stabat Mater, rather than the usual Gregorian chant. As for the text, I’m sure Edward Caswall did his best for the translation but it does sound better in Latin.
Mason not only gives you music and text but expert exposition in which he refutes the usual attribution to Jacopone da Todi and traces its earliest appearance to C13 Bologna. This lament’s use is at Stations of the Cross and Holy Week.
You can find it in Hymns and Spiritual Songs Vol 1 at Liturgical Song.
I had real trouble with this and made three backings a varying levels of blah. I ended up slowing his tempo on the one I like best:
This is even slower:
… and this just sounds bad at his tempo – not Mason’s fault! Maybe it would be better with minimal to no accompaniment.
1 At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.2 Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
All his bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed.3 O how sad and sore distressed,
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole begotten One!4 Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.5 Is there one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?6 Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold?7 Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.8 For the sins of his own nation
Saw him hang in desolation
Till his spirit forth he sent.9 O thou Mother! Font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord.10 Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.11 Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.12 Let me share with thee his pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torment died.13 Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.14 By the cross with thee to stay;
There with thee to weep and pray,
All I ask of thee to give.15 Virgin of all Virgins best!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine.
In the absence of a clip for this version here it is in Latin Gregorian chant.