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)

Jesús inclinó la cabeza a la hora de nona (Taizé)

Jesús inclinó la cabeza a la hora de nona.

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

The Reproaches (John Sanders)

O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!

I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you led your Saviour to the cross.

O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!

Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.

For forty years I led you safely through the desert. I fed you with manna from heaven, and brought you to a land of plenty; but you led your Saviour to the cross.

Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.

What more could I have done for you? I planted you as my fairest vine, but you yielded only bitterness: when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink, and you pierced your Saviour's side with a lance.

Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.

I opened the sea before you, but you opened my side with a spear.
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud, but you led me to Pilate's court.

O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!

I bore you up with manna in the desert, but you struck me down and scourged me.
I gave you saving water from the rock, but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.

O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!

I gave you a royal sceptre, but you gave me a crown of thorns.
I raised you to the height of majesty, but you have raised me high on a cross.

O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!

Composer: John Sanders (1933-2003)

Portant des rameaux, Hosanna (Taizé)

Portant des rameaux, ils allaient au devant du Seigneur et l'acclamaient:
Hosanna, qu'il soit beni celui qui vient au nom du Seigneur! 

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

Par ses blessures, nous sommes guéris (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

This Day God Gives Me (Tune: ANDREA)

1. This day God gives me
Strength of high heaven,
Sun and moon shining,
Flame in my hearth,
Flashing of lightning,
Wind in its swiftness,
Deeps of the ocean,
Firmness of earth.

2. This day God sends me
Strength as my guardian,
Might to uphold me,
Wisdom as guide.
Your eyes are watchful,
Your ears are list’ning,
Your lips are speaking,
Friend at my side.

3. God’s way is my way,
God’s shield is ’round me,
God’s host defends me,
Saving from ill.
Angels of heaven,
Drive from me always
All that would harm me,
Stand by me still.

4. Rising I thank you,
Mighty and Strong One,
King of creation,
Giver of rest,
Firmly confessing
Threeness of Persons,
Oneness of Godhead,
Trinity blest.

Text: James Quinn
Tune: ANDREA