Words: John of Damascus (675-749) (Αναστάσεως ήμέρα); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, 1862. Music: Lancashire, Henry T. Smart, 1835 (MIDI, score). Smart wrote this tune for a music festival in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Reformation in England. Alternate tunes:
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John Neale described how early Greek Christians sang this hymn:
As midnight approached, the archbishop, with his priests, accompanied by the king and queen, left the church and stationed themselves on the platform, which was raised considerably from the ground, so that they were distinctly seen by the people. Everyone now remained in breathless expectation, holding an unlighted taper in readiness when the glad moment should arrive, while the priests still continued murmuring their melancholy chant in a low half whisper. Suddenly a single report of a cannon announced that twelve o’clock had struck and that Easter Day had begun; then the old archbishop, elevating the cross, exclaimed in a loud, exulting tone, “Christos aneste!” “Christ is risen!” and instantly every single individual of all that host took up the cry…At that same moment the oppressive darkness was succeeded by a blaze of light from thousands of tapers which…seemed to send streams of fire in all directions.
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
And listening to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain,
His own “All hail!” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend,
For Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end.
Labels: 8th c., easter, John of Damascus, Neale
Words: John of Damascus, 8th Century (Κατήλθες έν τοίς κατωτάτοις); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale in Hymns of the Eastern Church (London: J. Harding, 1862). Music: Morning Star, James P. Harding, 1892 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:
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Into the dim earth’s lowest parts descending,
And bursting by Thy might the infernal chain
That bound the prisoners, Thou, at three days’ ending,
As Jonah from the whale, hast risen again.
Thou brakest not the seal, Thy surety’s token,
Arising from the tomb Who left’st in birth
The portals of virginity unbroken,
Opening the gates of Heaven to sons of earth.
Thou, Sacrifice ineffable and living,
Didst to the Father by Thyself atone
As God eternal: resurrection giving
To Adam, general parent, by Thine own.
Labels: 8th c., easter, John of Damascus, Neale
Words: John of Damascus, 8th Century (Ορθρίσωμεν όρθρου βαθέος); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale in Hymns of the Eastern Church. Music: Cwm Rhondda, John Hughes, 1907 (MIDI, score). If you have access to a photo of John Hughes that we could put online, please click here. |
Let us rise in early morning,
And, instead of ointments, bring
Hymns of praises to our Master,
And His Resurrection sing:
We shall see the Sun of Justice
Ris’n with healing on His wing,
Ris’n with healing on His wing.
Thy unbounded loving-kindness,
They that groaned in Hades’ chain,
Prisoners, from afar beholding,
Hasten to the light again
And to that eternal Pascha
Wove the dance and raised the strain,
Wove the dance and raised the strain.
Go ye forth, His saints, to meet Him!
Go with lamps in every hand!
From the sepulcher He riseth:
Ready for the Bridegroom stand:
And the Pascha of salvation
Hail, with His triumphant band,
Hail, with His triumphant band.
Labels: 8th c., easter, John of Damascus, Neale
Words: John of Damascus, 8th Century (Αὕτη ἥ κλητή κλητή καὶ ἁγία ἡμέρα); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, 1862. Music: Eisenach, Johann H. Schein, 1628; harmony by Johann S. Bach (1685-1750) (MIDI, score). |
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 heav’nly 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.
Labels: 8th c., easter, John of Damascus
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