He is Risen (Madden)

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.

Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)
Music: Richard Madden (b. 1953)

Sonne der Gerechtigkeit

1. Sonne der Gerechtigkeit,
gehe auf zu unsrer Zeit;
brich in deiner Kirche an,
dass die Welt es sehen kann.
Erbarm dich, Herr!

2. Weck die tote Christenheit
aus dem Schlaf der Sicherheit,
das sie deine Stimme hört,
sich zu deinem Worte kehrt.
Erbarm dich, Herr!

3. Schaue die Zertrennung an,
der sonst niemand wehren kann;
sammle großer Menschenhirt,
alles was sich hat verirrt.
Erbarm dich, Herr!

4. Tu der Völker Türen auf;
deines Himmelreiches Lauf
hemme keine List noch Macht.
Schaffe Licht in dunkler Nacht!
Erbarm dich, Herr!

5. Gib den Boten Kraft und Mut,
Glauben, Hoffnung, Liebesglut,
und lass reiche Fruch aufgehn,
wo sie unter Tränen sä'n.
Erbarm dich, Herr!

6. Lass uns deine Herrlichkeit
sehen auch in dieser Zeit
und mit unsrer kleinen Kraft
suchen, was den Frieden schafft.
Erbarm dich, Herr!

7. Lass uns eins sein, Jesu Christ,
wie du mit dem Vater bist,
in dir bleiben allezeit,
heute wie in Ewigkeit.
Erbarm dich, Herr!

8. Kraft, Lob, Ehr und Herrlichkeit
sei dem Höchsten allezeit,
der, wie Er ist drei in ein,
uns in ihm lässt eines sein.
Erbarm dich, Herr!

Psalm 118: This is the Day (Marty Haugen)

Refrain:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

OR

This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad!
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad!

1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures for ever;
Let the house of Israel say: “His mercy endures for ever.” (Refrain)

2. The hand of the LORD has struck with power, his right hand is exalted,
I shall not die, but live anew, declaring the works of the LORD. (Refrain)

3. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,
the LORD of love and mercy has brought wonder to our eyes. (Refrain)

Composer: Marty Haugen

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

By the Waking of our Hearts

Refrain

By the waking of our hearts,
by the stirring of our souls,
may the Spirit of God abide
and bring us together in Christ.

1. Come, O Spirit, from above,
come from your celestial heights.
Come with your blessed light
so radiant bright. (Refrain)

2. Come, O Savior of the poor,
come, O source of gifts ensured.
Come with your gentle hope,
so wondrous and pure. (Refrain)

3. In our labor, rest most sweet;
grateful coolness in the heat.
Console our restless lives,
by your comfort, we seek. (Refrain)

4. Bend the stubborn heart and will,
melt the frozen, warm the chill.
Come guide our searching minds
toward your promise fulfilled. (Refrain)

5. Grant us virtue’s sure reward,
may your gracious love be sent.
Come with your peace and joy
that shall never end. (Refrain)

Verses based on the Pentecost Sequence, Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Composer: Ricky Manalo (1997)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Beyond the Days

Refrain:

Beyond the days of hope and mystery
we see a light of faith renewed,
and in our longing we thirst for guidance
to walk with you day by day.

1. Forty days and nights,
you guide the steps of our journey.
May your presence be felt
in the whisper of your voice. (Refrain)

2. Not on bread alone
are we to walk on this journey.
Speak the words that give life
to the yearnings of our hearts. (Refrain)

3. In your hands, O God,
we feel the touch of your guidance.
Keep us safe in your care:
may your gentleness be there. (Refrain)

4. On our Lenten path
we see the dawn of a new day.
Be our vision of hope;
be the promise of our lives. (Refrain)

Composer: Ricky Manalo

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

On this Day (Dies Domini)

1. On this day the first of days,
God’s most holy name we praise;
and who, creation’s Lord and spring,
did the world from darkness bring.

Refrain:
Dies Domini! Dies Domini!
On the Day of the Lord we rise and sing:
Dies Domini! Jubilate!
Praise and glory on this day!

2. On this day the eternal Christ
over death His triumph shines;
and on this day the Spirit came
with the gifts of living flame. (Refrain)

3. Loving God, Who did fashion us
image of Yourself we trust.
Come, fill us with Your love assured
and conform our wills to yours. (Refrain)

4. God, the blessed Three in One,
may Your holy will be done.
Now one with You with all above,
we send forth our hearts of love. (Refrain)

Text: Verses: Die parente temporum. Le Mans Breviary, 1748; tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877.
Refrain: Ricky Manalo (2002)
Music: Ricky Manalo (2002)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Christians Praise the Paschal Victim (Victimae Paschali Laudes)

See also the original Latin plainchant: Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians praise the Paschal Victim
Offer thankful sacrifice.
Christ the Lamb has saved the sheep;
Christ the Just One paid the price,
Reconciling sinners to the Father.

Death and Life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died
Reigns glorified!

O Mary, come and say
What you saw at break of day.
"The empty tomb of my living Lord!
I saw Christ Jesus risen, and adored!"

Bright angels testified,
Shroud and grave-cloths side by side!
"Yes, Christ my hope rose gloriously.
He goes before you into Galilee."

Share the good news, sing joyfully:
His death is victory!
Lord Jesus, victor King, show us mercy.
Amen. Alleluia!

See also the original Latin plainchant: Victimae Paschali Laudes

Background Information (Wikipedia)

Words: Ascribed to Wipo of Burgundy (c. 995 - c. 1048)
Music: Plainchant, Mode I

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.