Song Meaning
The lyrics present a stark, devotional exchange between three figures: Maria, Christus, and Vater. Maria's plea, "Sieh an die Brüste mein," is a maternal offering, a direct appeal to prevent any sinner from being lost. This establishes an immediate tone of compassionate intercession, rooted in a physical, nurturing image.
Christus responds by directing attention to his own suffering, "Sieh an die Wunden." He frames these wounds not as personal pain, but as a continuous sacrifice for sins, borne "alle Stunden." This highlights a central tension: the suffering endured for the redemption of others, a profound act of vicarious atonement.
The Vater then acknowledges Christus's sacrifice, granting his request with paternal affirmation: "Alles, was du begehrst / Das soll sein." This exchange signifies a divine agreement, where the Father accepts the Son's offered wounds as a sufficient sacrifice for sin, thereby enacting the act of redemption.
The power of these lyrics lies in their concise, almost liturgical structure and the potent imagery of maternal offering and sacrificial wounds. The direct address and simple declarative statements create an atmosphere of solemnity and unwavering divine purpose, emphasizing the core tenets of sacrifice and absolution.