1 Moonbeams are streaming,
When at dawn of Easter Day,
Angel forms gleaming
To holy women say,
"Christ is uprisen
From death’s dark prison;
Come, view the holy place
Where Jesus lay!"
2 Magdalen weeping
Sees two angels of the sky
Watch softly keeping,
As Jesus draweth nigh.
"Rise, Mary, speed thee!
Lone hearts now need thee;
Go, tell My brethren I
Ascend on high!"
3 To Peter wailing
Who his Lord hath thrice denied,
Comes Love unfailing—
Comes Christ, the Crucified.
Dark scruples clearing
With accents cheering,
All Peter’s penitential
Tears He dried!
4 Two sad ones walking,
Sorrowing for Christ’s dear sake,
He joineth, talking,
And with them bread doth break.
Faith their sight aideth,
As His form fadeth:
Burned not their hearts within
Them while He spake?
5 Ten saints despairing
Meet for mutual solace kind;
Comes Jesus, bearing
Fair hope and joy entwined.
Sweet peace bequeathing,
Then on them breathing,
Preach ye, baptize ye all,
Absolve and bind!
6 Golden the story
Of the seraphs, as they sing
Redemption’s story,
The triumph of their king.
With joys abounding,
Bright notes resounding,
Hark, how the silver bells
Of Heaven ring!