1 Dark and gloomy were the shadows
Over many homes one day,
When the Saviour, Lord and Master,
In a silent rock-tomb lay;
O how often as they pondered
Came this question, Can it be,
Shall I nevermore behold Him,
Nevermore my Master see?
Refrain:
Cease thy mourning,
Cease thy weeping,
Brush the teardrops all away,
Christ the blessed Lord has risen
From the tomb this Easter day.
2 How they often sought and found Him,
In the hour of trial and test,
How His presence always cheered them,
And His word gave sweetest rest;
Tho’ the pathway seemed so rugged
For the weary Pilgrim feet,
Yet the crooked ways were straightened
when with Jesus they could meet. [Refrain]
3 O what gladness, O what rapture,
Filling ev’ry troubled heart,
Blessed message, “He is risen,”
Bidding ev’ry fear depart;
When on that glad Easter morning,
Just before the break of day,
From all hearts then bowed in sorrow,
Jesus rolled the stone away. [Refrain]