SEASONAL HYMN: EASTER

By Tim Claubaugh

As in the other 3 major seasons of the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, and Lent), the Easter Season provides us with an array of wonderful hymns. During the Easter season, the hymns are about Christ’s resurrection! Probably THE ONE Easter hymn that is sung in all churches in the United States (Catholic and Protestant alike) during the Easter Season is the hymn “Jesus Christ is Risen Today.” This rousing hymn of Christ’s resurrection was written in the 14 Century (“Surrexit Christus hodie”) with verse 2 & 3 added around 1750 (when the “Alleluias” were added) (found in “The Compleat Psalmodist”) and verse 4 written by Charles Wesely (1707-1788).

The hymn tune, EASTER HYMN, was written in 1708 and is in 77 77 meter.

As one can see, this has been a very treasured Easter hymn for well over 300 years!

St. Mary's sang this hymn as the closing hymn on Easter Sunday. We will sing this hymn again on May 3 (Offertory) and May 17 (Opening Hymn).

The verses:

1. Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3. 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!

4. Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, now his might confess, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Spirit blest. Alleluia!