1 Three women went forth at the breaking of day,
Sweet ointment and spices on Jesus to lay;
Sad, sad were their hearts as they went thro’ the gloom
And thought of their Lord lying dead in the tomb.
2 ’Twas all in a sepulcher Joseph had made,
Rough-hewn in the rock, that our Savior was laid;
And Joseph had rolled a great stone at the door,
And Pilate had sealed it to make it more sure.
3 There soldiers kept watch, keeping guard night and day
For fear that the Christ would be stolen away;
But vain were the vigil and the craft of His foes,
Triumphant o’er death and the grave He arose.
4 Three women drew nigh to the grave at the dawn,
The stone was rolled back, and their Savior was gone;
And two shining angels in garments so white,
With words of great joy put their sorrows to flight.
5 "All hail, blessèd women! Why weep for the dead?
Your Lord is not here: He is ris’n as He said;
Now come, see the place where the Lord lately lay,
Then haste, spread the news—He is risen today."
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #16554