1 Could we refuse a song of praise,
This Easter morn to sing?
Should we refuse, the very stones
A song of praise would ring.
The earth has broken winter’s thrall,
The birds begin to sing;
The trees put forth their tender shoots,
And thus their praises bring;
The very air is pulsing, too,
With music all around;
The flowers look from grassy nooks
As wakened by the sound.
2 The sun rolls higher on his path,
Rejoicing in his ways;
The streams have burst their icy bonds
To join the song of praise.
For O, one far off Easter morn,
Christ cleft the realms of night;
He gained the victor’s glorious crown,
And gave us life and light;
He broke the bonds of death and hell,
The world has suffered long,
And gave us themes of life and love,
For each new Easter song.
19th Century
A Grace H. Horr (1829-1894) is buried in Highland Cemetery, Athol, Massachusetts. Her husband's obituary called her "a brilliant poetess and writer." It seems likely that this is the hymn writer, but corroboration is needed.
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Display Title: Could We RefuseFirst Line: Could we refuse a song of praiseTune Title: KINGMAN PARKAuthor: Grace H. HorrMeter: 86.86.86 DSource: Augsburg Songs No. 2 (Philadelphia: Lutheran Publications Society, 1893)