The medieval text about the suffering of a mother who sees her son dying on the cross is now an essential part of Christian Easter. It is so powerful that many composers have set it to music. In 1877, Antonín Dvořák also resorted to setting it to music. In his tragic family situation, he fully experienced every verse. The music, which reflects his grief at the loss of all three of his children, is extraordinarily imbued with emotion, but also with deep humility towards God and infinite hope.