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Greetings, dear friends, as we greet spring and celebrate Easter. I want to share four of my favorite Easter hymns, which call us to claim the joy and promise of Eastertide.
THIS JOYFUL EASTERTIDE (Glory to God #244) (This text is in the public domain.)
This text, by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934), sung to an old Dutch melody, has a rich history at Lexington Presbyterian, where generations of children’s choirs, under the direction of Mary Monroe Penick, sang it every Easter.
This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the Crucified, has sprung to life this morrow.
Had Christ, that once was slain, ne’er burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain, but now has Christ arisen.
My flesh in hope shall rest and for a season slumber
Till trump from east to west shall wake the dead in number.
Had Christ, that once was slain, ne’er burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain, but now has Christ arisen.
Death’s flood has lost its chill since Jesus crossed the river.
Lover of souls , from ill my passing soul deliver.
Had Christ, that once was slain, ne’er burst his three-day prison.
Our faith had been in vain, but now has Christ arisen.
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JESUS IS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (Church Hymnary, 4th ed. #434) [Church of Scotland]
Words: John L Bell and Graham Maule, © Wild Goose Resource Group, The Iona Community.
This simple song is one the great triumphs of John Bell (b. 1947) and Graham Maule (1958-2019), treasured writers of song for the Iona Community in Scotland. Our children at LexPres have been singing this song for years now, and have at times invited the grownups to join in as well. The simple but magical tune is by John Bell.
Jesus is risen from the grave;
Jesus is risen from the grave;
Jesus is risen from the grave.
Alleluia!
Jesus was seen by Mary….
Peter will soon be smiling….
Thomas will stop his doubting….
Jesus will meet his people….
Jesus will live for ever….
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HAVEN’T YOU HEARD THAT JESUS IS RISEN? (Church Hymnary, 4th ed.) [Scotland]
Words © Alison M. Robertson
This lively song is one of a number of hymns (words and music) by the Scotswoman, Alison Robertson (b. 1940). Our choirs sing this at Easter every few years.
Haven’t you heard that Jesus is risen? Mary was there at crack of the dawn;
weeping, she found him down in the garden: laughter is living and grieving is gone.
Our hearts are glowing, our eyes are showing, that Jesus lives.
Haven’t you heard that Jesus is risen: Cleopas told us. Evening drew on;
walking and talking, travelling with them, Jesus was present: now grieving is gone.
Our hearts are glowing, our eyes are showing, that Jesus lives.
Haven’t you heard that Jesus is risen? Peter was fishing. Out of the dawn
Jesus called, ‘Shoot your net to the starboard’ – fishing is thriving and grieving is gone.
Our hearts are glowing, our eyes are showing, that Jesus lives.
Haven’t you heard that Jesus is risen? Haven’t you heard that Jesus goes on?
Haven’t you heard that Jesus is with us? Laughter is living and grieving is gone.
Our hearts are glowing, our eyes are showing, that Jesus lives.
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CHRIST HAS RISEN WHILE EARTH SLUMBERS (Glory to God #231)
Words: John L Bell and Graham Maule, © Wild Goose Resource Group, The Iona Community.
Here is another masterpiece of Bell and Maule. In our hymnal these words are paired with the melody of a lovely Welsh lullaby called Suo Gan. The esteemed hymn-writer, Carl Daw, says of this marriage of text and tune: “Whatever the process was that brought these words and music together, this simple, earthy melody provides an effective grounding for this sometimes edgy text.’”
I have known John Bell for many years, and it is with joy that I have used many of his texts and tunes in my work, often with children. The rich store of songs created by John Bell and Graham Maule are an important part of my life in work and worship.
Christ has risen while earth slumbers; Christ has risen where hope died,
as he said and as he promised, as we doubted and denied.
Let the moon embrace the blessing; let the sun sustain the cheer;
let the world confirm the rumor: Christ is risen, God is here!
Christ has risen for the people whom he died to love and save;
Christ has risen for the women bringing flowers to grace his grave.
Christ has risen for disciples huddled in an upstairs room.
He whose word inspired creation can’t be silenced by the tomb.
Christ has risen and for ever lives to challenge and to change
all whose lives are messed or mangled, all who find religion strange.
Christ is risen, Christ is present making us what he has been:
evidence of transformation in which God is known and seen.
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