Laudes Domini ‎#405

405. Christ in the Grave

1 All is o'er, the pain, the sorrow,
Human taunts and fiendish spite;
Death shall be despoiled to-morrow
Of the prey he grasps to-night:
Yet once more, to seal his doom,
Christ must sleep within the tomb.

2 Dark and still the cell that holds him,
While in brief repose he lies;
Deep the slumber that enfolds him,
Vailed awhile from mortal eyes;
Slumber such as needs must be
After hard-won victory.

3 Fierce and deadly was the anguish
Which on yonder cross he bore!
How did soul and body languish
Till the toil of death was o'er!
But that toil, so fierce and dread,
Bruised and crushed the serpent's head!

4 All night long with plaintive voicing
Chant his requiem soft and low:
Loftier strains of loud rejoicing
From to-morrow's harps shall flow:--
"Death and hell at length are slain!
Christ hath triumphed! Christ doth reign!"

Text Information

• First Line: All is o'er, the pain, the sorrow
• Title: Christ in the Grave
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1884
• Topic: Christ: Burial of; Grave
• Notes: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: REQUIEM
• Meter: 8s, 7s, 7s
• Key: A♭ Major