Easter Verse – The Hymns of Easter

The Strife is O’er

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
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!
Words: Symphonia Sirenum Selectarum, 1695;
trans. Francis Pott (1832-1909)

Samuel Medley (1738-1799)

I know that my Re-deem-er lives— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
What com-fort this sweet sent-ence gives— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we’re gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead’s a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
He lives, my ev-er-last-ing Head— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we’re gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead’s a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!

He lives to bless me with His love— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
He lives to plead for me a-bove— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we’re gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead’s a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!

He lives, all glo-ry to His name!— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
He lives, my Je-sus, still the same— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we’re gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead’s a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-ja

Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today By Charles Wesley

Christ, the Lord is risen today,
Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say:
Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high,
Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply,
Alleluia!
.
Lives again our glorious King:
Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Alleluia!
Dying once, He all doth save:
Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave?
Alleluia!
.
Love’s redeeming work is done,
Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won;
Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise;
Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise.
Alleluia!
.
Soar we now, where Christ has led,
Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head;
Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise;
Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies;
Alleluia!

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
‘Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left his Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite his grace!
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned sprit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Christ is Risen

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!

Compleat Psalmodist, 1749