Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) ‎#103

103. From The Graves Remove Dark Crosses

1 From the graves remove dark crosses,
Grow the lilies in their stead,
Blend the flower's with tender mosses,
Plant sweet roses in the bed.
Place, instead of signs of grief,
Angel wings in bright relief.
Palms instead of columns broken,
Words of hope that God has spoken.

2 Sudden darkness light succeeded
When for us He shed His blood,
Brighter light to us was deeded
When the Victor with us stood.
Now our praises rise on high
'Neath the Easter morning sky
Unto Christ, the resurrected,
Proved to be of God elected.

3 See the friends of Jesus grieving:
How they wring their hands in woe!
They, although in Him believing,
Saw Him yielding to the foe.
When released from death's sharp throes,
He, the Easter Sun, arose,
They beheld the tomb now broken,
Angels pointing to the token.

4 "Open tombs! The saints surrender!"
Jesus' voice in dusk of day
Sounds in accents strong, yet tender,
Shedding light upon our way,
He is calling, but not now:
"Adam, sinner, where art thou?"
No, He says with gracious favor:
"Here am I, your risen Savior."

5 Here He is, the God-man risen,
Broken are the chains of death,
Opened is our gloomy prison,
And His word is life and breath;
Now a summer morning bright
Dawns on us to end our night;
And, their Easter anthems singing,
Souls their way to Him are winging.

Text Information

• First Line: From the graves remove dark crosses
• Title: From The Graves Remove Dark Crosses
• Author: N. F. S. Grundtvig
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1928
• Topic: Passion and Easter
• Notes: Danish first line: Tag det sorte Kors fra Graven; Translator: P. C. Paulsen

Tune Information

(No tune information)