One Priest alone can pardon me,
Or bid me, "Go in peace,"
Can breathe that word, "Absolvo te,"
And make these heartthrobs cease;
My soul has heard His priestly voice;
It said, "I bore thy sins; rejoice!"

He showed the spear-mark in His side,
The nail-print on His palm;
Said, "Look on Me, the Crucified;
Why tremble thus? Be calm!
All power is Mine - I set thee free - 
Be not afraid - Absolvo te."

By Him my soul is purified,
Once leprous and defiled;
Cleansed by the water and the blood,
God sees me as a child:
No priest can heal or cleanse but He;
No other say, "Absolvo te."

He robed me in a priestly dress,
That I might incense bring
Of prayer, and praise, and righteousness,
To heaven's eternal King;
And when He gave this robe to me,
He smiled and said, "Absolvo te."

In heaven He stands before the throne,
The great High Priest above,
"Melchisedec" - that One alone
Can sin's dark stain remove;
To Him I look on bended knee,
And hear that sweet "Absolvo te."

"A little while" and He shall come
Forth from the inner shrine,
To call His pardoned brethren home;
Oh bliss supreme, divine!
When every blood-bought child shall see
The Priest who said, "Absolvo te."