Seasonal Hymns: Easter 278-286

Easter

278

O who shall roll away the stone – M Ham

279

Jesus Christ is risen today – Compleat Psalmodist

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
now above the sky he's King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

280

Welcome, happy morning – Fortunatus / J Ellerton trans

"Welcome, happy morning!"
age to age shall say:
hell today is vanquished,
heaven is won today!
Lo! the dead is living,
God for evermore!
Him their true Creator,
all his works adore!

Earth her joy confesses,
clothing her for spring,
all fresh gifts return
with her returning King:
bloom in every meadow,
leaves on every bough,
speak his sorrow ended,
hail his triumph now.

Months in due succession,
days of lengthening light,
hours and passing moments
praise thee in their flight.
Brightness of the morning,
sky and fields and sea,
Vanquisher of darkness,
bring their praise to thee.

Maker and Redeemer,
life and health of all,
thou from heaven beholding
human nature's fall,
of the Father's Godhead
true and only Son,
mankind to deliver,
manhood didst put on.

Thou, of life the Author,
death didst undergo,
tread the path of darkness,
saving strength to show;
come then, true and faithful,
now fulfill thy word,
'tis thine own third morning!
rise, O buried Lord!

Loose the souls long prisoned,
bound with Satan's chain;
all that now is fallen
raise to life again;
show thy face in brightness,
bid the nations see;
bring again our daylight:
day returns with thee!

281

Jesus lives! thy terrors now – C Gellert / F Cox

Jesus lives! thy terrors now
can no longer, death, appall us;
Jesus lives! by this we know
thou, O grave, canst not enthrall us.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! henceforth is death
but the gate of life immortal;
this shall calm our trembling breath
when we pass its gloomy portal.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! for us he died;
then, alone to Jesus living,
pure in heart may we abide,
glory to our Savior giving.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! our hearts know well
nought from us his love shall sever;
life, nor death, nor powers of hell
tear us from his keeping ever.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! to him the throne
over all the world is given:
may we go where he has gone,
rest and reign with him in heaven.
Alleluia!

282

                                At the Lamb's high feast we sing – R Campbell trans

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

283

He is risen, he is risen – C Alexander

He is risen, he is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice:
he has burst his three days' prison;
let the whole wide earth rejoice:
death is conquered, man is free,
Christ has won the victory.

Come, ye sad and fearful-hearted,
with glad smile and radiant brow!
Lent's long shadows have departed;
Jesus' woes are over now,
and the passion that he bore--
sin and pain can vex no more.

Come, with high and holy hymning,
hail our Lord's triumphant day;
not one darksome cloud is dimming
yonder glorious morning ray,
breaking o'er the purple east,
symbol of our Easter feast.

He is risen, he is risen!
He hath opened heaven's gate:
we are free from sin's dark prison,
risen to a holier state;
and a brighter Easter beam
on our longing eyes shall stream.

284

The strife is o'er, the battle done – F Pott trans

The strife is o'er, the battle done,
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed:
let shout of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The three sad days are quickly sped,
he rises glorious from the dead:
all glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
He closed the yawning gates of hell,
the bars from heaven's high portals fell;
let hymns of praise his triumphs tell!
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Lord! by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!

285

Alleluia, Alleluia, hearts to heaven and voices raise – C Wordsworth

Alleluia, alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise:
sing to God a hymn of gladness,
sing to God a hymn of praise.
He, who on the cross a victim,
for the world's salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
now is risen from the dead.

Now the iron bars are broken,
Christ from death to life is born,
glorious life, and life immortal,
on this holy Easter morn.
Christ has triumphed, and we conquer
by his mighty enterprise:
we with him to life eternal
by his resurrection rise.

Christ is risen, Christ, the first fruits
of the holy harvest field,
which will all its full abundance
at his second coming yield:
then the golden ears of harvest
will their heads before him wave,
ripened by his glorious sunshine
from the furrows of the grave.

Christ is risen, we are risen!
Shed upon us heavenly grace,
rain and dew and gleams of glory
from the brightness of thy face;
that we, with our hearts in heaven,
here on earth may fruitful be,
and by angel hands be gathered,
and be ever, Lord, with thee.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Glory be to God on high;
Alleluia! to the Savior
who has gained the victory;
Alleluia! to the Spirit,
fount of love and sanctity:
Alleluia, alleluia!
to the Triune Majesty.

286

Thou hallowed chosen morn of praise – John of Damascus / J Neale trans

Thou hallowed chosen morn of praise,
that best and greatest shinest;
fair Easter, queen of all the days,
of seasons, best, divinest!
Christ rose from death; and we adore
forever and forevermore.

Come, let us taste the Vine's new fruit,
for heavenly joy preparing;
today the branches with the root
in resurrection sharing:
whom as true God our hymns adore
forever and forevermore.

Rise, Zion, rise! and looking forth,
behold thy children round thee!
From east and west, from south and north,
thy scattered sons have found thee;
and in thy bosom Christ adore
forever and for evermore.

O Father, O co-equal Son,
O co-eternal Spirit,
in persons Three, in Godhead One,
and One in power and merit;
in thee baptized, we thee adore
forever and for evermore.

Summary of Posts Seasonal Hymns Epiphany, Lent, Passiontide and Holy Week

Summary of Posts Seasonal Hymns Epiphany, Lent, Passiontide and Holy Week

Seasonal Hymns: Epiphany 225-234

Seasonal Hymns: Epiphany 235-239

Seasonal Hymns: Pre Lent 240

Seasonal Hymns: Lent 241- 253

Seasonal Hymns: Passiontide and Holy Week 254-264

Seasonal Hymns: Passiontide and Holy Week 265-276

Seasonal Hymns: Holy Saturday 277

Seasonal Hymns: Holy Saturday 277

Holy Saturday

277

O sorrow deep – J von Rist / W Douglas trans

Seasonal Hymns: Passiontide and Holy Week 265-276

265

O sacred head, sore wounded – R Bridges

O sacred head, sore wounded,
defiled and put to scorn;
O kingly head surrounded
with mocking crown of thorn:
What sorrow mars thy grandeur?
Can death thy bloom deflower?
O countenance whose splendor
the hosts of heaven adore!

Thy beauty, long-desirèd,
hath vanished from our sight;
thy power is all expirèd,
and quenched the light of light.
Ah me! for whom thou diest,
hide not so far thy grace:
show me, O Love most highest,
the brightness of thy face.

I pray thee, Jesus, own me,
me, Shepherd good, for thine;
who to thy fold hast won me,
and fed with truth divine.
Me guilty, me refuse not,
incline thy face to me,
this comfort that I lose not,
on earth to comfort thee.

In thy most bitter passion
my heart to share doth cry,
with thee for my salvation
upon the cross to die.
Ah, keep my heart thus moved
to stand thy cross beneath,
to mourn thee, well-beloved,
yet thank thee for thy death.

My days are few, O fail not,
with thine immortal power,
to hold me that I quail not
in death's most fearful hour;
that I may fight befriended,
and see in my last strife
to me thine arms extended
upon the cross of life.

266

At the Cross her station keeping – Latin 13^th Cent.

At the cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful mother weeping,
close to Jesus at the last,
Through her soul, of joy bereavèd,
bowed with anguish, deeply grievèd,
now at length the sword hath passed.

O, that blessed one, grief-laden,
blessed Mother, blessed Maiden,
Mother of the all-holy One;
O that silent, ceaseless mourning,
O those dim eyes, never turning
from that wondrous, suffering Son.

Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing,
in her trouble so amazing,
born of woman, would not weep?
Who, on Christ's dear Mother thinking,
such a cup of sorrow drinking,
would not share her sorrows deep?

For his people's sins, in anguish,
there she saw the victim languish,
bleed in torments, bleed and die.
Saw the Lord's anointed taken,
saw her Child in death forrsaken,
heard his last expiring cry.

In the passion of my Maker,
be my sinful soul partaker,
may I bear with her my part;
of his passion bear the token,
in a spirit bowed and broken
bear his death within my heart.

May his wounds both wound and heal me,
he enkindle, cleanse, and heal me,
be his cross my hope and stay.
May he, when the mountains quiver,
from that flame which burns for ever
shield me on the judgment day.

Jesus, may thy cross defend me,
and thy saving death befriend me,
cherished by thy deathless grace:
when to dust my dust returneth,
grant a soul that to thee yearneth
in thy paradise a place.

267

His are the thousand sparkling rills –  C Alexander

His are the thousand sparkling rills
that from a thousand fountains burst,
and fill with music all the hills;
and yet he saith, "I thirst."

All fiery pangs on battlefields;
on fever beds where sick men toss,
and in that human cry he yields
to anguish on the cross.

But more than pains that racked him then,
was the deep longing thirst divine
that thirsted for the souls of men:
dear Lord! and one was mine.

O Love most patient, give me grace;
make all my soul athirst for thee;
that parched dry lip, that anguished face,
that thirst, were all for me.

268

It is finished! Christ hath known –  G Gillet

It is finished! Christ hath known
all the life of men wayfaring;
human joys and sorrows sharing,
making human needs his own.
Lord, in us thy life renewing,
lead us where thy feet have trod,
till, the way of truth pursuing,
human souls find rest in God.

It is finished! Christ is slain,
on the altar of creation,
offering for a world's salvation
sacrifice of love and pain.
Lord, thy love through pain revealing,
purge our passions, scourge our vice,
till, upon the tree of healing,
self is slain in sacrifice.

It is finished! Christ our King
wins the victor's crown of glory;
sun and stars recite his story,
floods and fields his triumph sing.
Lord, whose praise the world is telling,
Lord, to whom all power is given,
by thy death, hell's armies quelling,
bring thy saints to reign in heaven.

269

When our heads are bowed with woe – H Milman

When our heads are bowed with woe,
when our bitter tears o'erflow,
when we mourn the lost, the dear,
Jesus, Son of Mary, hear!

Thou our throbbing flesh hast worn,
thou our mortal griefs hast borne,
thou hast shed the human tear,
Jesus, Son of Mary, hear!

When the solemn death bell tolls,
for our own departing souls,
when our final doom is near,
Jesus, Son of Mary, hear!

Thou hast bowed the dying head,
thou the blood of life hast shed,
thou hast filled a mortal bier;
Jesus, Son of Mary, hear!

When the heart is sad within
with the though of all its sin,
when the spirit shrinks with fear,
Jesus, Son of Mary, hear!

Thou the shame, the grief, hast known,
though the sins were not thine own;
thou hast deigned their load to bear;
Jesus, Son of Mary, hear!

270

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? – African American Spiritual

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

271

Sunset to sunrise changes now – Clement of Alexandria / H Robbins trans

272

Jesus, in thy dying woes – T Pollock

Jesus, in thy dying woes,
even while thy lifeblood flows,
craving pardon for thy foes;
hear us, holy Jesus.

Savior, for our pardon sue,
when our sins thy pangs renew,
for we know not what we do:
hear us, holy Jesus.

O may we, who mercy need,
be like thee in heart and deed,
when with wrong our spirits bleed:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Jesus, pitying the sighs
of the thief, who near thee dies,
promising him paradise;
hear us, holy Jesus.

May we, in our guilt and shame,
still thy love and mercy claim,
calling humbly on thy Name:
hear us, holy Jesus.

O remember us who pine,
looking from our cross to thine;
cheer our souls with hope divine:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Jesus, loving to the end
her whose heart thy sorrows rend,
and thy dearest human friend:
hear us, holy Jesus.

May we in thy sorrows share,
and for thee all peril dare,
and enjoy thy tender care:
hear us, holy Jesus.

May we all thy loved ones be,
all one holy family,
loving for the love of thee,
hear us, holy Jesus.

Jesus, whelmed in fears unknown,
with our evil left alone,
while no light from heav'n is shown:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Though no Father seem to hear,
though no light our spirits cheer,
tell our faith that God is near:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Jesus, in thy thirst and pain,
while thy wounds thy lifeblood drain,
thirsting more our love to gain:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Thirst for us in mercy still;
all thy holy work fulfill;
satisfy thy loving will:
hear us, holy Jesus.

May we thirst thy love to know;
lead us in our sin and woe
where the healing waters flow:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Jesus, all our ransom paid,
all thy Father's will obeyed,
all thy sufferings perfect made:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Save us in our soul's distress,
be our help to cheer and bless,
while we grow in holiness:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Brighten all our heavenward way
with an ever holier ray,
till we pass to perfect day:
hear us, holy Jesus.

Jesus, all thy labor vast,
all thy woe and conflict past,
yielding up thy soul at last:
hear us, holy Jesus.

When the death shades round us lower,
guard us from the temper's power,
keep us in that trial hour:
hear us, holy Jesus.

May thy life and death supply
grace to live and grace to die,
grace to reach the home on high:
hear us, holy Jesus.

273

Hosanna in the highest – ???

274

Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow – W Sparrow-Simpson

Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow,
where the blood of Christ was shed,
perfect Man on thee did suffer,
perfect God on thee has bled!

Here the King of all the ages,
throned in light ere worlds could be,
robed in mortal flesh is dying,
crucified by sin for me.

O mysterious condescending!
O abandonment sublime!
Very God himself is bearing
all the sufferings of time!

Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow,
where the blood of Christ was shed,
perfect Man on thee did suffer,
perfect God on thee has bled!

275

The flaming banners of our King – Fortunatus / j Grant trans

276

To mock your reign, O dearest Lord – F Green

To mock your reign, O dearest Lord,
they made a crown of thorns;
set you with taunts along that road
from which no one returns.
They did not know, as we do now,
that glorious is your crown;
that thorns would flower upon your brow,
your sorrows heal our own.

In mock acclaim, O gracious Lord,
they snatched a purple cloak,
your passion turned, for all they cared,
into a soldier's joke.
They did not know, as we do now,
that though we merit blame
you will your robe of mercy throw
around our naked shame.

A sceptered reed, O patient Lord,
they thrust into your hand,
and acted out their grim charade
to its appointed end.
They did not know, as we do now,
though empires rise and fall,
your Kingdom shall not cease to grow
till love embraces all.

Seasonal Hymns: Passiontide and Holy Week 254-264

Passiontide and Holy Week

254

Ride on, ride on in majesty – H Milman

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, pursue thy road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin
o'er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
The angel-squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
the Father on his sapphire throne
expects his own anointed Son.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, thy power, and reign.

255

There is a green hill far away – C Alexander

There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where our dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.

256

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle – Fortunatus / Neale trans

Part I: Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle,
sing the last, the dread affray;
o'er the cross, the victor's trophy,
sound the high triumphal lay,
how, the pains of death enduring,
earth's Redeemer won the day.

When at length the appointed fulness
of the sacred time was come,
he was sent, the world's Creator,
from the Father's heavenly home,
and was found in human fashion,
offspring of the virgin's womb.

Now the thirty years are ended
which on earth he willed to see,
willingly he meets his passion,
born to set his people free;
on the cross the Lamb is lifted,
there the sacrifice to be.

There the nails and spear He suffers,
vinegar and gall and reed;
from His sacred body piercèd
blood and water both proceed:
precious flood, which all creation
from the stain of sin hath freed.

Part II:
Faithful Cross, above all other,
one and only noble Tree,
none in foliage, none in blossom,
none in fruit thy peer may be;
sweet the wood, and sweet the iron,
and thy load, most sweet is he.

Bend, O lofty Tree, thy branches,
thy too rigid sinews bend;
and awhile the stubborn hardness,
which thy birth bestowed, suspend;
and the limbs of heaven's high Monarch
gently on thine arms extend.

Thou alone wast counted worthy
this world's Ransom to sustain,
that a shipwrecked race for ever
might a port of refuge gain,
with the sacred Blood anointed
of the Lamb for sinners slain.

May be sung at end of either part:
Praise and honor to the Father,
praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One:
one in might, and One in glory,
while eternal ages run.

257

See the destined day arise – Fortunatus / R Mant trans

See the destined day arise!
See a willing sacrifice!
Jesus, to redeem our loss,
hangs upon the shameful cross.

Jesus, who but thou had borne,
lifted on that tree of scorn,
every pang and bitter throe,
finishing thy life of woe?

Who but thou had dared to drain,
steeped in gall, the cup of pain,
and with tender body bear
thorns, and nails, and piercing spear?

Thence the cleansing water flowed,
mingled from thy side with blood;
sign to all attesting eyes
of the finished sacrifice.

Thence the cleansing water flowed,
mingled from thy side with Blood;
sign to all attesting eyes
of the finished sacrifice.

Holy Jesus, grant us peace
in that sacrifice to place
all our trust for life renewed,
pardoned sin and promised good.

258

Alone thou goest forth, O Lord – P Abalard / F Tucker trans

Alone thou goest forth, O Lord,
in sacrifice to die;
is this thy sorrow naught to us
who pass unheeding by?

Our sins, not thine, thou bearest, Lord;
make us thy sorrow feel,
till through our pity and our shame
love answers love's appeal.

This is earth's darkest hour,
but thou dost light and life restore;
then let all praise be given thee
who livest evermore!

Give us compassion for thee, Lord,
that, as we share this hour,
thy cross may bring us to thy joy
and resurrection power.

259

Drop, drop, slow tears – P Flecher

Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet,
which brought from heaven the news and Prince of Peace.

Cease not, wet eyes, his mercies to entreat;
to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease.

In your deep floods drown all my faults and fears;
nor let his eye see sin, but through my tears.

260

Go to dark Gethsemane – J Montgomery

Go to dark Gethsemane,
ye that feel the tempter's power;
your Redeemer's conflict see,
watch with him one bitter hour;
turn not from his griefs away,
learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

Follow to the judgment hall;
view the Lord of life arraigned;
O the wormwood and gall!
O the pangs his souls sustained!
Shun not suffering, shame, or loss;
learn of him to bear the cross.

Calvary's mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at his feet,
mark the miracle of time,
God's own sacrifice complete;
"It is finished!" hear him cry;
learn of Jesus Christ to die.

261

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended – J Heerman / R Bridges trans

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:
I crucified thee.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
for our atonement, while we nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.

For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.

262

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing – W Shirley

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing,
which before the cross we spend,
life and health and peace possessing
from the sinner's dying Friend.

Here I stay, forever viewing
mercy streaming in his blood;
precious drops, my soul bedewing,
plead and claim my peace with God.

Truly blessèd is the station,
low before his cross to lie,
while I see divine compassion
floating in his languid eye.

Lord, in ceaseless contemplation
fix our hearts and eyes on thee,
till we taste thy full salvation,
and thine unveiled glory see.

263

O thou, who through this holy week – J Neale

O thou, who through this holy week,
didst suffer for us all,
the sick to cure, the lost to seek,
to raise up them that fall.

We cannot understand the woe
thy love was pleased to bear:
O Lamb of God, we only know
that all our hopes are there.

Thy feet the path of suffering trod,
thy hand the victory won:
what shall we render to our God
for all that he hath done?

O grant us, Lord, with thee to die,
with thee to rise anew;
grant us the things of earth to fly,
the things of heaven pursue.

To God, the blessèd Three in One,
all praise and glory be:
crown, Lord, thy servants who have won
the victory through thee.

264

O come and mourn with me awhile – F Faber

O come and mourn with me awhile;
O come ye to the Savior's side;
O come, together let us mourn;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

Have we no tears to shed for him,
while soldiers scoff and foes deride?
Ah! look how patiently he hangs;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

How fast his hands and feet are nailed;
his blessed tongue with thirst is tied,
his failing eyes are blind with blood:
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

His mother cannot reach his face;
she stands in helplessness beside;
her heart is martyred with her Son's:
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified.

Seven times seven he spoke, seven words of love;
and all three hours his silence cried
for mercy on the souls of men;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

O break, O break, hard heart of mine!
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
his Pilate and his Judas were:
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

A broken heart, a fount of tears,
ask, and they will not be denied;
a broken heart love's cradle is:
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

O love of God! O sin of man!
In this dread act your strength is tried;
and victory remains with love;
for he, our Love, is crucified.

Seasonal Hymns: Lent 241- 253

Lent

241

Forty days and forty nights – G Smyttan

Forty days and forty nights
thou wast fasting in the wild;
forty days and forty nights
tempted, and yet undefiled.

Should not we thy sorrow share
and from worldly joys abstain,
fasting with unceasing prayer,
strong with thee to suffer pain?

Then if Satan on us press,
Jesus, Savior, hear our call!
Victor in the wilderness,
grant we may not faint or fall!

So shall we have peace divine:
holier gladness ours shall be;
round us, too, shall angels shine,
such as ministered to thee.

Keep, O keep us, Savior dear,
ever constant by thy side;
that we thee we may appear
at the eternal Eastertide.

242

Kind Maker of the world, O hear – Gregory the Great / Hymnal 1940 trans

243

Lord, in this thy mercy's day – I Williams

Lord, in this thy mercy's day,
ere for us it pass away,
on our knees we fall and pray.

Holy Jesus, grant us tears,
fill us with heart-searching fears,
ere that awful doom appears.

Lord, on us thy Spirit pour,
kneeling lowly at thy door,
ere it close forevermore.

By thy night of agony,
by thy supplicating cry,
by thy willingness to die,

By thy tears of bitter woe,
for Jerusalem below,
let us not thy peace forego.

Judge and Savior of our race,
when we thee see thy face,
grant us 'neath thy wings a place.

244

Weary of earth, and laden with my sin – S Stone

Weary of earth, and laden with my sin,
I look at heaven and long to enter in,
but there no evil thing may find a home:
and yet I hear a voice that bids me "Come."

I am unworthy; dare I hope to stand
in the pure glory of the heavenly land?
Before the whiteness of that throne appear?
Yet there are hands stretched out to draw me near.

The while I fain would tread the heavenly way
evil is ever with me day by day;
yet on mine ears the gracious tidings fall:
"Repent, confess, thou shalt be loosed from all."

It is the voice of Jesus that I hear;
his are the hands stretched out to draw me near,
and his the blood that can for all atone,
and set me faultless there before the throne.

'Twas he who found me on the deathly wild,
and made me heir of heaven, the Father's child,
and day by day, whereby my soul may live,
gives me his grace of pardon, and will give.

O great Absolver, grant my soul may wear
the lowliest garb of penitence and prayer,
that in the Father's courts my glorious dress
may be the garment of thy righteousness.

Yea, thou wilt answer for me, righteous Lord;
thine all the merits, mine the great reward;
thine the sharp thorns, and mine the golden crown;
mine the life won, and thine the life laid down.

245

Lord, who throughout these forty days – C Hernamen

Lord, who throughout these forty days

for us didst fast and pray,
teach us with thee to mourn our sins,
and close by thee to stay.

As thou with Satan didst contend
and didst the victory win,
O give us strength in thee to fight,
in thee to conquer sin.

As thou didst hunger bear and thirst,
so teach us, gracious Lord,
to die to self, and chiefly live
by thy most holy word.

And through these days of penitence,
and through thy Passiontide,
yea, evermore, in life and death,
Jesus! with us abide.

Abide with us, that so, this life
of suffering over-past,
an Easter of unending joy
we may attain at last!

246

With broken heart and contrite sigh – C Elvan

With broken heart and contrite sigh,
a trembling sinner, Lord, I cry;
thy pard'ning grace is rich and free:
O God, merciful to me.

I smite upon my troubled breast,
with deep and conscious guilt oppressed,
Christ and his cross my only plea:
O God, merciful to me.

Far off I stand with tearful eyes,
nor dare uplift them to the skies;
but thou dost all my anguish see:
O God, merciful to me.

Nor alms, nor deeds that I have done,
can for a single sin atone;
to Calvary alone I flee:
O God, merciful to me.

And when, redeemed from sin and hell,
with all the ransomed throng I dwell,
my raptured song shall ever be,
God has been merciful to me.

247

Wilt thou forgive them that sin, where I begun – J Donne

Wilt thou forgive that sin, where I begun,
which is my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive those sins through which I run,
and do run still, though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
for I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin, by which I won
others to sin, and made my sin their door?
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did not shun
a year or two, but wallowed in a score?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
for I have more.

I have a sin of fear that when I've spun
my last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son
shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore.
And having done that, thou hast done,
I fear no more.

248

Lord Jesus, Sun of Righteousness – a LaCroy

249

Now quit your care – P Dearmer

Now quit your care,
your anxious fear and worry,
for schemes are vain
and fretting gives no gain.
Bring praise and prayer--
you need no purse or money
for love itself doth cry,
'Come buy, come buy,
come buy, till love shall satisfy'.

To bow the head
in sackcloth and in ashes,
or rend the soul,
such grief is not our goal;
but to be led
to where God's glory flashes,
his beauty to come nigh,
to fly, to fly,
to fly where truth and light do lie.

For is not this
the fast that I have chosen
(the prophet spoke)
to shatter every yoke,
of wickedness
the grievous bands to loosen,
oppression put to flight,
to fight, to fight,
to fight till every wrong's set right?

For righteousness
and peace will show their faces
to those who feed
the hungry in their need,
and wrongs redress,
who build the old waste places,
and in the darkness shine.
Divine, divine,
divine it is when all combine!

Then shall your light
break forth as doth the morning;
your health shall spring,
the friends you make shall bring
God's glory bright,
your way through life adorning;
and love shall be the prize.
Arise, arise,
arise! and make a paradise!

250

Now let us all with one accord – Gregory the Great / Praise the Lord Hymnal trans

251

Creator of the earth and skies – D Hughes

252

Eternal Lord of love, behold your Church – T Cain

253

From deepest woe I cry to thee – M Luther / C Winkworth trans

From deepest woe I cry to thee;
Lord, hear me, I implore thee!
Bend down thy gracious ear to me;
I lay my sins before thee.
If thou rememberest every sin,
if nought but just reward we win,
could we abide thy presence?

Thou grantest pardon through thy love;
thy grace alone availeth.
Our works could ne'er guild remove;
yea, e'en the best life faileth.
For none may boast themselves of aught,
but must confess thy grace that wrought
whate'er in them is worthy.

And thus my hope is in the Lord,
and not in my own merit;
I rest upon his faithful word
to them of contrite spirit.
That he is merciful and just,
here is my comfort and my trust;
his help I wait with patience.

Seasonal Hymns: Pre Lent 240

Pre Lent

240

Alleluia, song of sweetness – 11^th Cent / J Neale

Alleluia, song of sweetness,
voice of joy that cannot die;
alleluia is the anthem
ever raised by choirs on high;
in the house of God abiding
thus they sing eternally.

Alleluia thou resoundest,
true Jerusalem and free;
alleluia, joyful mother,
all thy children sing with thee;
but by Babylon's sad waters
mourning exiles now are we.

Alleluia cannot always
be our song while here below;
alleluia our transgressions
make us for awhile forgo;
fort the solemn time is coming
when our tears for sin must flow.

Therefore in our hymns we pray thee,
grant us, blessed Trinity,
at the last to keep thine Easter,
in our home beyond the sky,
there to thee for ever singing
alleluia joyfully.

Seasonal Hymns: Epiphany 235-239

235

Christ, upon the mountain peak – B Wren

Christ upon the mountain peak
stands alone in glory blazing;
let us, if we dare to speak,
with the saints and angels praise him.
Alleluia!

Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the Law
shout through them their joyful greeting.
Alleluia!

Swift the cloud of glory came.
God proclaiming in its thunder
Jesus as his Son by name!
Nations cry aloud in wonder!
Alleluia!

This is God's beloved Son!
Law and prophets before him;
first and last and only One,
let creation now adore him!
Alleluia!

236

When Christ's appearing was made known – S Coelius

237

O Light of light, by love inclined – Latin 10^th cent / L Houseman trans

O Light of light, by love inclined,
Jesus, Redeemer of mankind,
with loving-kindness deign to hear
from suppliant voices praise and prayer.

Thou who to raise our souls from hell
didst deign in fleshly form to dwell,
vouchsafe us, when our race is run,
in thy fair body to be one.

More bright than day thy face did show,
thy raiment whiter than the snow,
when on the mount to mortals blest
man's maker thou was manifest.

Two prophets, that had faith tosee,
with thine elect found company,
where unto each, divinely shown,
the Godhead veiled in form was known.

The heavens above his glory named,
the Father's voice his Son proclaimed;
to whom, the King of glory now,
all faithful hearts adoring bow.

May all who seek thy praise aright
through purer lives show forth thy light;
so to the brightness of the skies
by holy deeds our hearts shall rise.

Eternal God, to thee we raise,
the King of kings, our hymn of praise,
who Three in One and One in Three
doth live and reign eternally.

238

All praise to thee, O Lord – H Beadon

All praise to you, O Lord,
who by your mighty pow'r
did manifest your glory forth
in Cana's marriage hour.

You speak, and it is done;
obedient to your word,
the water redd'ning into wine
proclaims the present Lord.

O, may this grace be ours:
in you always to live
and drink of those refreshing streams
which you alone can give.

So, led from strength to strength,
grant us, O Lord, to see
the marriage supper of the Lamb,
the great epiphany.

239

When Jesus went to Jordan's stream – M Luther / F tucker trans

Seasonal Hymns: Ephiphany 225-234

Ephiphany

225

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning – R Heber

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining,
low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

Shall we then yield him, in costly devotion,
odors of Edom, and offerings divine,
gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favor secure,
richer by far is the heart's adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

226

What star is this, with beams so bright – C Coffin

What star is this, with beams so bright,
more lovely than the noonday light?
'Tis sent to announce a new-born King,
glad tidings of our God to bring.

'Tis now fulfilled what God decreed,
"From Jacob shall a star proceed;"
and lo! the eastern sages stand,
to read in heaven the Lord's command.

While outward signs the star displays,
an inward light the Lord conveys,
and urges them, with force benign,
to seek the giver of the sign.

True love can brook no dull delay;
through toil and dangers lies their way;
and yet their home, their friends, their all
they leave at once, at God's high call.

O, while the star of heavenly grace
invites us, Lord, to seek thy face,
may we no more that grace repel,
or quench that light which shines so well!

To God the Father, God the Son,
and Holy Spirit, three in One,
may every tongue and nation raise
an endless song of thankful praise!

227

Earth has many a noble city – Prudentius / E Caswell trans

Earth has many a noble city;
Bethlehem, thou dost all excel:
out of thee the Lord from heaven
came to rule his Israel.

Fairer than the sun at morning
was the star that told his birth,
to the world its God announcing
seen in fleshly form on earth.

Eastern sages at his cradle
make oblations rich and rare;
see them give, in deep devotion,
gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Sacred gifts of mystic meaning:
incense doth their God disclose,
gold the King of kings proclaimeth,
myrrh his sepulcher foreshows.

Jesus, whom the Gentiles worshiped
at thy glad epiphany,
unto thee, with God the Father
and the Spirit, glory be.

228

From the eastern mountains – G Thring

From the eastern mountains, pressing on, they come,
wise men in their wisdom, to his humble home;
stirred by deep devotion, hasting from afar,
ever journeying onward, guided by a star.

There their Lord and Savior meek and lowly lay,
wondrous Light that led them onward on their way,
ever now to lighten nations from afar,
as they journey homeward by that guiding star.

Thou who in a manger once hast lowly lain,
who dost now in glory o'er all kingdoms reign,
gather in the heathen who in lands afar
ne'er have seen the brightness of thy guiding star.

Onward through the darkness of the lonely night,
shining still before them with thy kindly light.
Guide them, Jew and Gentile, homeward from afar,
young and old together, by thy guiding Star.

Until every nation, whether bond or free,
'neath thy starlit banner, Jesus, follows thee.
O'er the distant mountains to that heavenly home,
where nor sin nor sorrow evermore shall come.

229

Saw you never, in the twilight – C Alexander

Saw you never, in the twilight,
when the sun had left the skies,
up in heav'n the clear stars shining
through the gloom, like silver eyes?
So of old the wise men, watching,
saw a little stranger star,
and they knew the King was given,
and they followed it from far.

Heard you never of the story
how they crossed the desert wild,
journeyed on by plain and mountain
till they found the holy child?
How they opened all their treasure,
kneeling to that infant King;
gave the gold and fragrant incense,
gave the myrrh in offering?

Know ye not that lowly baby
was the bright and morning Star?
He who came to light the Gentiles
and the darkened isles afar?
And we, too, may seek his cradle;
there our hearts' best treasures bring;
love and faith and true devotion
for our Savior, God, and King.

230

Songs of thankfulness and praise – C Wordsworth

Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David's stem
in thy birth at Bethlehem;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan's stream,
Prophet, Priest and King supreme;
and at Cana, wedding guest,
in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

Manifest in making whole
palsied limbs and fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil's might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

Sun and moon shall darkened be,
stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
all will see his glorious sign;
all will then the trumpet hear,
all will see the Judge appear;
thou by all wilt be confessed,
God in man made manifest.

Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
mirrored in thy holy Word;
may we imitate thee now,
and be pure, as pure art thou;
that we like to thee may be
at thy great Epiphany;
and may praise thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.

231

I come, the great Redeemer cries – T Gibbons

"I come," the great Redeemer cries,
"To do thy will, O Lord!"
At Jordan's stream, behold!
He seals the sure prophetic word.

"Thus it becomes to fulfill
all righteousness," he said.
Then, faithful to the Lord's commands,
through Jordan's flood was led.

Hark, a glad voice! The Father speaks
from heaven's exalted height:
"This is my Son, my well-beloved
in whom I take delight."

The Savior Jesus, well-beloved!
His Name we will profess,
like him desirous to fulfill
God's will in righteousness.

No more we'll count ourselves our own
but his in bonds of love.
Oh, may such bonds for ever draw
our souls to things above!.

232

The sinless one to Jordan came – G Timms

233

Christ, when for us you were baptized – B Tucker

Christ, when for us You were baptized,
God's Spirit on You came,
As peaceful as a dove and yet
As urgent as a flame.

God called You "My beloved Son,"
The suffering servant true,
Sent You the kingdom to proclaim,
God's holy will to do.

Straightway and steadfast until death
You then obeyed God's call
Freely as Son of Man to serve
And give Your life for all.

Baptize us with Your Spirit, Lord,
Your cross on us be signed,
That, likewise in God's service, we
May perfect freedom find.

234

The people that in darkness sat – J Morison

The people that in darkness sat
a glorious light have seen;
the Light has shined on them who long
in shades of death have been.

To hail thee, Sun of Righteousness,
the gathering nations come,
their joy when the reapers bear
their harvest treasures home.

For thou their burden dost remove,
and break the tyrant's rod,
as in the day when Midian fell
before the sword of God.

For unto us a Child is born,
to us a Son is given;
and on his shoulder ever rests
all power in earth and heaven.

His name shall be the Prince of Peace
the everlasting Lord,
the Wonderful, the Counselor,
the God by all adored.

His righteous government and power
shall over all extend;
on judgment and on justice based,
his reign shall have no end.

Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray,
and make us thine alone,
who with the Father ever art
and Holy Spirit One.

Summary Seasonal Hymns Advent and Christmas

Summary Seasonal Hymns Advent and Christmas

Seasonal Hymns: Advent 156-165

Seasonal Hymns: Advent 166-174

Seasonal Hymns: Christmas 175-184

Seasonal Hymns: Christmas 185-194

Seasonal Hymns: Christmas 195-204

Seasonal Hymns: Christmas 205-214

Seasonal Hymns: Christmas 215-224