Scripture Verse

I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Hosea 13:14

Introduction

portrait
Charles Vincent, Jr.
(1852–1934)

Words: Anonymous, in Car­ols Old and Car­ols New, by Charles L. Hut­chins (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Par­ish Choir, 1916), num­ber 242, alt.

Music: Gebze Charles J. Vin­cent, Jr. (1852–1934) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know the au­thor, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Vin­cent,

Lyrics

Choir

Little Christ­ian child­ren, say
Why your hearts are light to­day;
Why with hymn and ca­rol sweet,
You this ha­ppy Sun­day greet?

Children

Very ear­ly Christ arose,
Mighty Vic­tor o’er His foes,
In the morn­ing’s twi­light gloom,
Lord of Life, He left the tomb.

Choir

Little Christ­ian child­ren, tell,
How your king hath van­quished hell,
As you say, has ris’n again,
He who in the grave has lain.

Children

Faithless watch the sen­tries kept,
Bitter tears the wo­men wept,
Till they saw the an­gel bright,
Clad in rai­ment fair and white.

Children

Hark! He speaks to calm their fear,
He is ris’n, He is not here;
He has gone to Ga­li­lee—
There your Master ye shall see.

Choir

Little Christian children, sing,
Praising loud your risen king;
We, too, share your joyful strain,
Christ our Passover is slain.

All

Glory, Jesu, be to Thee,
Thou whose rising sets us free;
Death and Satan overthrown,
Thee, the King of kings we own.