Voices Together ‎#463

463. Christ Jesus Lay

1 Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
for our offenses given,
but now at God’s right hand he stands
and brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us all rejoice
and sing to God with heart and voice
loud songs of hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

2 It was a strange and dreadful strife
when life and death contended.
The victory remained with life,
the reign of death is ended.
So the scripture makes it plain
that death by death’s own sword is slain.
Its sting is lost forever.
Hallelujah!

3 Then let us keep this feast today
that God has freely given.
The word of grace has swept away
the old and evil leaven.
Christ today will meet his own
and faith will feed on him alone;
the living bread of heaven.
Hallelujah!

Text Information

• First Line: Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
• Title: Christ Jesus Lay
• Translator: Martin Luther
• Translator (English): Richard Massie
• Translator (English): Catherine Winkworth
• Translator (English): Johann Christian Jacobi
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.8.7.4
• Publication Date: 2020
• Scripture:
  Exodus 12:1-20
  ;
  Isaiah 25:6-10
  ;
  John 6:48-51
  ;
  Acts 2:22-36
  ;
  1 Corinthians 5:7-8
  ;
  1 Corinthians 15:12-28
  ;
  1 Corinthians 15:50-58
• Topic: Confessing Faith; Death and Eternal Life; Heritage: 16th-Century; Heritage: Before 1500; Jesus Christ: Resurrection of; Liberation; Salvation
• Source: Victimae Paschali, (present-day Germany), ca. 11th c.; trans. Martin Luther (present-day Germany), “Christ lag in Todesbanden,” Eyn Enchiridion, 1524; English trans. composite Richard Massie (England), Martin Luther’s Spiritual Songs, 1854, Catherine Winkworth (England), Lyra Germanica I, 1855, and Johann Jacobi (present-day Germany), Psalmodia Germanica, 1722

Tune Information

• Name: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
• Adapter: Johann Walther
• Harmonizer: J. S. Bach
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.8.7.4
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: medieval traditional; adapt. Johann Walther (present-day Germany), CHRIST IST ERSTANDEN, Gesangbuchlein, 1524; harm. J. S. Bach (present-day Germany), from Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, ca. 1708