Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain

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.

‘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 His light, to whom is giv’n
Laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,

With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;

Comes to gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection

Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus’ resurrection!

For today among His own
Christ appeared, bestowing

His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.

Neither could the gates of death
Nor the tomb’s dark portal

Nor the watchers nor the seal
Hold Him as a mortal.

Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,

Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb’s dark portal.

Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!

God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness!