RitualSong (2nd ed.) ‎#610

610. Come, You Faithful, Raise The Strain

1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
Into joy from sadness;
Loosed from Pharoah's bitter yoke
Jacob's sons and daughters;
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.

2 'Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ has burst his prison,
And from three days' sleep in death
As a sun has risen.
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From the Light, to whom we give
Laud and praise undying.

3 Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem,
Who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus' resurrection.

4 Neither could the gates of death,
Nor the tomb's dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal
Hold him as a mortal:
For today among his own
Christ appears, bestowing
Lasting peace which evermore
Passes human knowing.

5 "Alleluia!" now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant burst the bars
Of the tomb's dark portal;
"Alleluia!" with the Son,
God the Father praising;
"Alleluia!" yet again
To the Spirit raising.

Text Information

• First Line: Come, you faithful raise the strain
• Title: Come, You Faithful, Raise The Strain
• Greek Title: Αϊσωμεν, πάντεζ λαοί
• Author: John of Damascus, c.675-c.749
• Translator: John M. Neale, 1818-1886 (alt.)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2016
• Scripture:
  Exodus 15
• Topic: Easter

Tune Information

• Name: GAUDEAMUS PARITER
• Composer: Johann Horn, c. 1495-1547
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D
• Key: F Major or modal