And I saw a new heaven (Edgar Bainton)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;
and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people,
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Text: Revelation 21:1-4
Music: Edgar Bainton (1880-1956)

At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

Text: Ad re­gi­as Ag­ni da­pes, 6th c., tr. Robert Campbell, 1849

Tune: SALZSBURG 77.77 D, by Jakob Hintze (1622-1702)

At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side.

Praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.

Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight
thou hast brought us life and light.

Now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.

Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

Text: Ad re­gi­as Ag­ni da­pes, 6th c., tr. Robert Campbell, 1849

Tune: SONNE DER GERECHTIGKEIT, 77.77

This Is The Feast of Victory

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God? (Refrain)

Power, riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessing and glory are his. (Refrain)

Sing with all the people of God
And join in the hymn of all creation. (Refrain)

Blessing and honor and glory and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. (Refrain)

For the Lamb who was slain
has begun his reign. Alleluia. (Refrain)

Text: based on Revelation 5. Text (c) Copyright 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
Tune: FESTIVAL CANTICLE, Irr. By Richard Hillert (1975).

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Tune: EASTER HYMN)

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!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Words: Paraphrase of Surrexit Christus hodie (c. 1372) in Lyra Davidica (1708)
Tune: EASTER HYMN 77.77 + Alleluias (Lyra Davidica, 1708)

The Strife is O'er

Antiphon: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun:
Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed;
let shouts of holy joy outburst:
Alleluia!

The three sad days are quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead;
all glory to our risen Head!
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!

Text: Finita iam sunt praelia, Latin, 12th c, tr. Francis Pott, 1832-1909
Tune: VICTORY 888 + Alleluias, by Giovanni P. da Palestrina (1525-1594), adapted by William H. Monk (1823-1889).

Hail Thee Festival Day (Easter) [Tune: SALVE FESTA DIES]

See also: Hail Thee, Festival Day (Pentecost)

Refrain:

Hail thee, festival day!
Blest day that art hallowed forever;
day wherein Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Lo, the fair beauty of earth,
from the death of the winter arising,
every good gift of the year
now with its Master returns. (Refrain)

He who was nailed to the Cross
is God and the Ruler of all things;
all things created on earth
worship the Maker of all. (Refrain)

God of all pity and power,
let thy word be assured to the doubted;
light on the third day returns:
rise, Son of God, from the tomb! (Refrain)

Ill doth it seem that thy limbs
should linger in lowly dishonor;
ransom and price of the world,
veiled from the vision of men. (Refrain)

Loosen, O Lord, the enchained,
the spirits imprisoned in darkness;
rescue, recall into life those
who are rushing to death. (Refrain)

Ill it beseemeth that thou,
by whose hand all things are encompassed,
captive and bound shouldst remain,
deep in the gloom of the rock. (Refrain)

Rise now, O Lord, from the grave
and cast off the shroud that enwrapped thee;
thou art sufficient for us;
nothing without thee exists. (Refrain)

Mourning they laid thee to rest,
who art Author of life and creation;
treading the pathway of death,
life thou bestowedst on man. (Refrain)

Show us thy face once more,
that the ages may joy in thy brightness;
give us the light of day,
darkened on earth at thy death. (Refrain)

Out of the prison of death
thou art rescuing numberless captives;
freely they tread in the way
whither their Maker has gone. (Refrain)

Jesus has harrowed hell;
he had led captivity captive;
darkness and chaos and death
flee from the face of the light. (Refrain)

See also: Hail Thee, Festival Day (Pentecost)

For a different version, see: Welcome, Happy Morning!

Text: Salve Festa Dies by Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530-c. 600/609)
Translator: Maurice Frederick Bell (The English Hymnal, 1906)

Music: SALVE FESTA DIES 79.77+Refrain, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

I am risen and behold (Michael Barger)

Antiphon:

I am risen and behold and am with you, Alleluia!
You have placed you hand on me, Alleluia!
O God, how wonderf'lly you know me, Alleluia!

1. O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You know when I sit down and rise up again, Alleluia! (Antiphon)

2. Behold, Lord, you know all things both ancient and new.
You have conceived me, and laid your hand upon me, Alleluia! (Antiphon)

3. Glory be to the Father of Love,
And to the Son, who is risen from the dead,
And to the Spirit giving us new life,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and every shall be, Alleluia! (Antiphon)

Composer: Michael Barger 

Michael Barger grew up in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. His work is highly influenced by Islamic and Byzantine Arabic chant and especially by the Lebanese Byzantine chanter, Sister Marie Keyrouz

Composer's Notes:

The text of I Am Risen is that of the Introit (Entrance chant) of the Roman rite celebration of the Eucharist on Easter day, Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum, which serves as the antiphon for the chanting of Psalm 139. The composition was inspired by the recording of Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum on Ensemble Organum's recording,  Chants of the Church of Roman - Byzantine Period. It is devoted to chants of the Church of Rome when most of the popes came from the churches of the Byzantine Empire ( 590-752), coinciding with the rise of the Prophet Muhammad (550-632) and the Umayyad Caliphate (660-750). Liturgies were celebrated with chants in both Greek and Latin. Musically the hymn is in the Mixolydian mode and marked by chords of the ninth.

That Eastertide with joy was bright (Tune: PUER NOBIS)

1. That Easter day with joy was bright,
The sun shone out with fairer light,
When, to their longing eyes restored,
Th'apostles saw their risen Lord.


2. His risen flesh with radiance glowed,
his wounded hands and feet he sowed;
those scars their solemn witness gave
that Christ was risen from the grave.


3. O Jesus, King of gentleness,
Do all our inmost hearts possess
That we may give thee all our days
The willing tribute of our praise.


4 O Lord of all, with us abide
In this our joyful Eastertide.
From every weapon death can wield,
Thine own redeemed forever shield.

Text: Au­ro­ra lu­cis ru­ti­lat (5th c); trans­. John Mason Neale (1851), alt.
Tune: PUER NOBIS,15th c., adapted by Michael Praetorius

He is Risen, He is Risen! (Tune: UNSER HERRSCHER)

He is risen, he is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice:
he has burst his three days' prison;
let the whole wide earth rejoice:
death is conquered, man is free,
Christ has won the victory.

Come, ye sad and fearful-hearted,
with glad smile and radiant brow!
Lent's long shadows have departed;
Jesus' woes are over now,
and the passion that he bore--
sin and pain can vex no more.

Come, with high and holy hymning,
hail our Lord's triumphant day;
not one darksome cloud is dimming
yonder glorious morning ray,
breaking o'er the purple east,
symbol of our Easter feast.

He is risen, he is risen!
He hath opened heaven's gate:
we are free from sin's dark prison,
risen to a holier state;
and a brighter Easter beam
on our longing eyes shall stream.

Text: Cecil Frances Alexander (1846)
Tune: UNSER HERRSCHER 87.87.77

Hymn of Promise (Natalie Sleeth)

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Composer: Natalie Sleeth (1986)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series. 

Heavens sing with gladness (Taizé)

See also the original Latin version: Jubilate Coeli (Taizé)

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Exsultet (Liam Lawton)

1. Now to the throne of God in exultation,
High heaven’s hosts, your proud hosannas sing!
Sound in the height the trumpet of salvation,
Waking the day to greet its Lord and King!

Refrain:

Rejoice, rejoice,
Gone forever is the night!
Rejoice, rejoice,
Risen is the Lord of light!

2. Now let the earth be filled with songs of gladness!
Christ is our Dawn, and banished is our night!
Now let all tongues acclaim the King of ages,
Rising as Lord of everlasting life!

3.Sing in your joy, O holy Church, our Mother:
Darkest of nights becomes your day of days!
Now, in the dawn of never ending glory,
Bring to your Lord the homage of your praise!

4. Bless with your love this feast of light, O Father!
Shine on the world, O world’s true Light, God’s Son!
Touch with your fire, O God the Holy Spirit,
Tongues to proclaim the triumph Christ has won!

Composer: Liam Lawton (2001)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Water of Life (David Haas)

Chorus

Water of Life, Jesus our Light,
Journey from death to new life.

1. Fountain of light, new sight for the blind.
We come to the water, we come now to see.

2. Fountain of compassion, freedom from fear.
We come to the water, we come to find peace.

3.Fountain of mercy, bind all our wounds.
We come to the water, we come to be healed.

4. Fountain of our future, seek out our pain.
We come to the water, we come to be whole.

5. Fountain of new life, seek out our thirst.
We come to the water, we come now to live.

6. Fountain of mission, calling our name.
We come to water, we come now to serve.

Composer: David Haas (1987)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Pourquoi chercher parmi les morts (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Je suis resuscité, alléluia (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

By Your Kingly Power

Refrain:

By your kingly power O risen Lord.
All that Adam lost is now restored:
In your resurrection be adored.

1. Sing the joyful Easter cry,
Sound it to the souls in prison,
Shout our triumph to the sky:
Sing Christ risen, sing Christ risen. 

2. Sing the joyful Easter cry,
Let all times and peoples listen:
Death has no more victory,
Sing Christ risen, sing Christ risen. 

3. Death has lost and life has won;
Ev’ry newborn soul we christen
Now becomes the Father’s son:
Sing Christ risen, sing Christ risen

Words: James McAuley (1917-1976)
Tune: RUGGIERO, by Richard Connolly (b. 1927) 

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

キリストよみがえりぬ (テゼ / Taizé)

See also the original (Latin) version: Surrexit Christus (Taizé)

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

基督已復活 (泰澤 / Taizé)

基督已復活

啊... 基 督 已 復 活， Alleluia.
o... gei1 duk1 ji5 fuk6 wut6, alleluia.
(O, Surrexit Christus, Allleluia!)

啊.... 來 歌 頌 讚 美 主 ， Alleluia!
o... loi4 go1 zung6 zaan3 mei5 zyu2, alleluia.
(O... Cantate Domino, Alleluia!)

Verses: Daniel/但以理書/達尼爾先知書 3; Psalm/詩篇/聖詠 118

See original version: Surrexit Christus

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

O Christ, le Fils du Dieu vivant (Taizé)

O Christ, le Fils du Dieu vivant. 
Alleluia Alleluia!

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English