Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might…anoint Jesus’ body… just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb.
Mark 16:1–2
Words: This text is a cento from The World Itself Keeps Easter Day, by John M. Neale, in Carols for Christmas and Eastertide, 1853.
Music: J. B. Litler, in Carols Old and Carols New, by Charles L. Hutchins (Boston, Massachusetts: Parish Choir, 1916), number 269 (🔊 pdf nwc).
There stood three Marys by the tomb
On Easter morning early;
When day had scarcely chased the gloom,
And dew was white and pearly:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
With loving but with erring mind,
They came the Prince of Life to find,
They came the Prince of Life to find.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But earlier still the angel sped,
His news of comfort giving;
And Why,
he said, “among the dead
Thus seek ye for the living?”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go, tell them all, and make them blest;
Tell Peter first, and then the rest,
Tell Peter first, and then the rest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But one, and one alone, remained,
With love that could not vary;
And thus a joy past joy she gained,
That sometime sinner, Mary;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The first the blessèd form to see
Of Him that hung upon the tree,
Of Him that hung upon the tree;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The world itself keeps Easter Day,
The Heav’n above is beaming;
All in high festival array
The merry bells are gleaming.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Lord hath risen, as all things tell;
Good Christians, see ye rise as well,
Good Christians, see ye rise as well!
Alleluia! Alleluia!