One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
John 19:34
Words: Unknown author, probably 6th Century (Ad regias Agni dapes). Translated from Latin to English by Robert Campbell, 1849.
Music: Salzburg (Hintze) Jacob Hintze, 1678 (🔊 pdf nwc).
At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,
Praise to our victorious king,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from his piercèd side;
Praise we Him, whose love divine
Gives His sacred blood for wine,
Gives His body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.
Where the Paschal blood is poured,
Death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Christ, our Paschal lamb, is slain,
Holy victim, without stain;
Death and hell defeated lie,
Heav’n unfolds its gates on high.
Mighty Victim from the sky,
Hell’s fierce powers beneath Thee lie;
Thou hast conquered in the fight,
Thou hast brought us life and light;
Now no more can death appall,
Now no more the grave enthrall;
Thou hast opened paradise,
And in Thee Thy saints shall rise.
Paschal triumph, Easter joy,
Only sin can this destroy;
From sin’s death do Thou set free
Souls reborn, O Lord, in Thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Father, to Thee we raise;
Risen Lord, all praise to Thee,
Ever with the Spirit be.