Evangelical Lutheran Worship ‎#363

363. Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain

1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness!
God has brought forth Israel
into joy from sadness,
loosed from Pharaoh’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 strain
Jesus' resurrection!

4 Neither could the gates of death,
nor the tomb’s dark portal,
nor the watchers, nor the seal,
hold you as a mortal:
but today, among your own,
you appear, bestowing
your deep peace, which evermore
passes human knowing.

5 Alleluia! now we cry
to our Lord 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
• Author: John of Damascus, c. 696-c. 754
• Translator: John Mason Neale, 1818-1866 (alt.)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2006
• Topic: Easter

Tune Information

• Name: GAUDEAMUS PARITER
• Composer: Johann Horn, 1490-1547
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D
• Key: F Major