The Worshipbook ‎#344

344. Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain

1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness:
God has brought his 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 his 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
Welcome in unwearied strains
Jesus' resurrection.

4 Neither might the gates of death,
Nor the tomb’s dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal,
Hold you as a mortal:
But today amid the twelve
You did stand, bestowing
That your peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.

5 "Alleluia!" now we cry
To our King 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Come, you faithful, raise the strain
• Title: Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
• Author (attributed to): John of Damascus (675?-749?)
• Translator: John Mason Neale (1859, alt. 1972)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  John 20:1-14
• Topic: Christian Year: Easter Day

Tune Information

• Name: AVE VIRGO VIRGINUM
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Key: F Major
• Source: Bohemian Brethren hymnal, 1544
• Notes: As in Pilgrim Hymnal, 1958