Author: John of Damascus (675?-749?); John Mason Neale Hymnal: The Worshipbook #344 (1972) Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Scripture: John 20:1-14 Lyrics: 1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness:
God has brought his Israel
Into joy from sadness;
Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters;
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.
2 'Tis the spring of souls today;
Christ has burst his prison,
And from three days' sleep in death
As a sun has risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From his light, to whom we give
Laud and praise undying.
3 Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem,
Who with true affection
Welcome in unwearied strains
Jesus' resurrection.
4 Neither might the gates of death,
Nor the tomb’s dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal,
Hold you as a mortal:
But today amid the twelve
You did stand, bestowing
That your peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
5 "Alleluia!" now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb’s dark portal;
"Alleluia!" with the Son
God the Father praising;
"Alleluia!" yet again
To the Spirit raising.
Amen. Topics: Christian Year Easter Day Tune Title: AVE VIRGO VIRGINUM
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain