Scripture Verse

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20

Introduction

portrait
Johann H. Schein (1586–1630)

Words: John of Da­mas­cus, 8th Cen­tu­ry (Αὕ­τη ἥ κλη­τή κλητή καὶ ἁγία ἡμ­έρα). Trans­lat­ed from Greek to Eng­lish by John M. Neale, 1862.

Music: Eis­en­ach Jo­hann H. Schein, 1628. Har­mo­ny by Jo­hann S. Bach (1685–1750) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
John of Damascus
675–749

Lyrics

Thou hallowed chosen morn of praise,
That best and greatest shinest;
Fair East­er, queen of all the days,
Of seasons, best, divinest!
Christ rose from death; and we adore
Forever and for­ev­er­more.

Come, let us taste the vine’s new fruit,
For heav’nly joy preparing;
Today the branches with the root
In resurrection sharing:
Whom as true God our hymns adore
Forever and for­ev­er­more.

Rise, Zion, rise! and looking forth,
Behold thy children round thee!
From east and west, from south and north,
Thy scattered sons have found thee;
And in thy bosom Christ adore
Forever and for ev­er­more.

O Fa­ther, O co-equal Son,
O co-eter­nal Spi­rit,
In persons Three, in Godhead One,
And One in power and merit;
In Thee baptized, we Thee adore
Forever and for ev­er­more.