Easter bells are ringing, Easter anthems rise, Age and Childhood singing Strains that seek the skies: Seek their source, ascending Where, in rapture sweet, Song and service blending, Saint and seraph meet.
“Christ, the Lord, is risen!” Wondering angels cry; “Broken, Death’s dread prison!” Sons of men reply. Blessed song and story! Doubt and fear depart,-- Resurrection glory Floods the faithful heart.
Purest, purest pleasure In each bosom wells; Happy, happy measure-- How the choral swells!
By that song supplanted, Wrath and wrong shall cease; From this hour undaunted Reigns the Prince of Peace.
Easter lilies, blowing, Breathe his praise abroad,-- All their grace bestowing On the Son of God. Lo! his brow adorning, Kings their homage pay; Hark! the stars of morning Hail his boundless sway.
A strong and sure foundation Is Jesus Christ, the Lord,-- Before the world’s creation The everlasting Word! His power, supreme, unbounded, He pledges to his own; On him their hope is grounded Securely as God’s throne.
What though the tempest rages? No harm his cause sustains; Built on the Rock of Ages, Unmoved the Church remains.
His word shall stand forever,-- Nor shall one letter fail: “The gates of hell shall never Against my Church prevail.”
From God all grace receiving, The saints, below, above, In Christ their King believing, Shall triumph through his love. O happy, happy Zion! The Lamb, for sinners slain, Is Judah’s mighty Lion, Who shall forever reign!
The Rock of our salvation,-- To thee, O Christ, we raise, In grateful adoration, The voice of prayer and praise; Our common faith confessing, Thy cross the world shall crown With glory, honor, blessing, And infinite renown.
Of transient symbol the eternal Truth, In thee, O Christ, the soul’s sure light we find; Vision and dream of Age and eager Youth, Thou pourest heaven on every humble mind.
O Lily, Rose, and Fountain! O Dayspring from above! O Sun, and Sea, and Mountain-- Immeasurable Love! Sweet Jesus, Shepherd, Saviour, May we thy glory see, And share thy joy forever, Incarnate Deity!
Lamb of the riven side,-- Lord of lords glorified! Victim and Victor, thee we adore; Shepherd of Israel, Saviour from death and hell, Mighty Immanuel! reign evermore.