The New English Hymnal ‎#106

106. Come, ye faithful, raise the strain

1 Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness;
God hath 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.

2 'Tis the spring of souls to-day:
Christ hath burst His prison,
And from three days' sleep in death
As a sun hath risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From his light, to whom we give
Laud and praise undying.

3 Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendour,
With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem,
Who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesu's Resurrection.

4 Neither might the gates of death,
Nor the tomb's dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal,
Hold thee as a mortal;
But today amidst thine own
Thou didst stand, bestowing
That thy peace which evermore
Passeth human knowing.

Text Information

• First Line: Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
• Author: St John of Damascus, c. 750
• Translator: J. M. Neale, 1818-66 (alt.)
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Eastertide
• Source: Greek
• Notes: Alternative tune ST JOHN DAMASCENE 219

Tune Information

• Name: AVE VIRGO VIRGINUM
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Key: G Major
• Source: Traditional melody; Arr.: Leisentritt's Catholicum Hymnologium Germanicum, Cologne, 1584