Seasonal Hymns: Easter 298-309

298

Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands – M Luther / R Massie trans

Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands
for our offenses given;
but now at God's right hand he stands
and brings us life from heaven;
wherefore let us joyful be,
and sing to God right thankfully
loud songs of alleluia!
Alleluia!

It was a strange and dreadful strife
when life and death contended;
the victory remained with life,
the reign of death was ended;
stripped of power, no more it reigns,
an empty form alone remains;
death's sting is lost for ever!
Alleluia!

So let us keep the festival
where to the Lord invites us;
Christ is himself the joy of all,
the sun that warms and lights us;
by his grace he doth impart
eternal sunshine to the heart;
the night of sin is ended!
Alleluia!

Then let us feast this Easter day
on the true bread of heaven;
the word of grace hath purged away
the old and wicked leaven;
Christ alone our souls will feed,
he is our meat and drink indeed;
faith lives upon no other!
Alleluia!

299

Through the Red Sea brought at last, Alleluia! – R Knox

300

Love's redeeming work is done – C Wesley

Love's redeeming work is done,
fought the fight, the battle won.
Lo, our Sun's eclipse is o'er!
Lo, he sets in blood no more!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal!
Christ has burst the gates of hell;
death in vain forbids him rise;
Christ has opened paradise.

Lives again our victorious King;
where, O death, is now thy sting?
Dying once, he all doth save;
where thy victory, O grave?

Soar we now where Christ has led,
following out exalted Head;
made like him, like him we rise,
ours the cross, the grave, the skies.

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven!
Praise to thee by both be given:
thee we greet triumphant now;
hail, the Resurrection thou!

301

This joyful Eastertide – Latin / E Charles trans

Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary,
Christ has risen from the tomb;
on the cross a suffering victim,
now as victor he is come.
Whom your tears in death were mourning,
welcome with your smiles returning.
Let your alleluias rise!

Raise your weary eyelids, Mary,
see him living evermore;
see his countenance how gracious,
see the wounds for you he bore.
All the glory of the morning
pales before those wounds redeeming.
Let your alleluias rise!

Life is yours for ever, Mary,
for your light is come once more
and the strength of death is broken;
now your songs of joy outpour.
Ended now the night of sorrow,
love has brought the blessed morrow.
Let your alleluias rise.

302

Look there! the Christ, our Brother, comes – J Bennett

303

On earth has dawned this day of days – N Hermann / C terry trans

304

Now the green blade riseth – J Crum

305

Good Christian men, rejoice and sing – C Alington

Good Christian men, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The Lord of life is risen today!
Sing songs of praise along his way;
let all the earth rejoice and say:
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Praise we in songs of victory
that love, that life which cannot die,
and sing with hearts uplifted high:
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
and sing today with one accord
the life laid down, the life restored:
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

306

We walk by faith, and not by sight – H Alford

We walk by faith, and not by sight;
no gracious words we hear from him
who spoke as none e'er spoke;
but we believe him near.

We may not touch his hands and side,
nor follow where he trod;
but in his promise we rejoice;
and cry, "My Lord and God!"

Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
and may our faith abound,
to call on you when you are near,
and seek where you are found:

that, when our life of faith is done,
in realms of clearer light
we may behold you as you are,
with full and endless sight.

307

The whole bright world rejoices now – f von Spee / P Dearmer

308

Awake, arise, lift up your voice – C Smart

Awake, arise, lift up your voice,
let Easter music swell;
rejoice in Christ, again rejoice
and on his praises dwell.

Oh, with what gladness and surprise
the saints their Savior greet;
nor will they trust their ears and eyes
but by his hands and feet,

those hands of liberal love indeed
in infinite degree,
those feet still free to move and bleed
for millions and and for me.

His enemies had sealed the stone
as Pilate gave them leave,
lest dead and friendless and alone
he should their skill deceive.

O Dead arise! O Friendless stand
by seraphim adored!
O Solitude again command
your host from heaven restored!

309

Come away to the skies – The Southern Harmony

Come away to the skies,
my beloved, arise
and rejoice in the day thou wast born;
on this festival day,
come exulting away,
and with singing to Zion return.

Now with singing and praise,
let us spend all the days,
by our heavenly Father bestowed,
while his grace we receive
from his bounty, and live
to the honor and glory of God.

For the glory we were
first created to share,
both the nature and kingdom divine!
Now created again
that our lives may remain,
throughout time and eternity thine.

We with thanks do approve
the design of that love
which hath joined us to Jesus' Name;
so united in heart,
let us nevermore part,
till we meet at the feast of the Lamb.

Hallelujah we sing,
to our Father and King,
and his rapturous praises, repeat:
to the Lamb that was slain,
hallelujah again,
sing, all heaven, and fall at his feet.