Friday, April 13, 2007

Friday Hymn

Hearts to Heaven and Voices Raise

Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1872
Tune: HYFRYDOL, Rowland H. Prichard, 1830 (among other possible tunes)

Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts to Heaven and voices raise:
Sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a hymn of praise.
He, who on the cross a Victim, for the world’s salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of glory, now is risen from the dead.

Now the iron bars are broken, Christ from death to life is born,
Glorious life, and life immortal, on the holy Easter morn.
Christ has triumphed, and we conquer by his mighty enterprise:
We with Him to life eternal by His resurrection rise.

Christ is risen, Christ, the first fruits of the holy harvest field,
Which will all its full abundance at His second coming yield:
Then the golden ears of harvest will their heads before him wave,
Ripened by his glorious sunshine from the furrows of the grave.

Christ is risen, we are risen! Shed upon us heavenly grace,
Rain and dew and gleams of glory from the brightness of thy face;
That we, with our hearts in heaven, here on earth may fruitful be,
And by angel hands be gathered, and be ever, Lord, with thee.

Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to God on high;
Alleluia! to the Savior who has gained the victory;
Alleluia! to the Spirit, fount of love and sanctity:
Alleluia, alleluia! to the Triune Majesty.

3 comments:

zorra said...

I guess this is Anglican? Stirring lyrics, set to the most glorious of hymn melodies.
Thanks for broadening my hymnody horizons!

Anonymous said...

Alleluia amen! What else needs to be said. Maureen

Psalmist said...

I don't know about Anglican, Zorra. It's one I've only encountered once or twice before, and I don't honestly remember where. I don't believe I've ever heard it sung congregationally. I simply love the text!

Alleluia, amen! Oh, yes, Maureen! Love it!