Hail! Festal day (Easter)
Refrain:
Hail, festal day! to endless ages known,
when Christ, o'er death victorious, gained his throne.
Now with Lord, of new and heavenly birth,
his gifts return to grace the springing earth. Refrain
He reigns supreme, who died the death of shame,
and all created things adore his Name. Refrain
Fulfill thy promise, King of love, we pray!
The third morn brightens, rise and come away. Refrain
No moldering tomb shall hold thee in repose;
no stone the ransom of the world enclose. Refrain
Who holdest all things in thy hollowed hand,
no rocky barrier can before thee stand. Refrain
Cast off the grave-clothes; let them there remain:
come forth to us, our All, our only gain. Refrain
Creator, Fount of life, thou know'st the grave:
and thence returning thou art strong to save. Refrain
Light of the world, show us thy face once more
the day that died with thee, today restore. Refrain
A countless people, from death's fetters free,
own thee Redeemer, join and follow thee. Refrain
The shades of death are pierced, his laws undone,
and trembling chaos flees the rising Sun. Refrain
Words: Venantius Fortunatus (sixth century);
trans. Thomas Alexander Lacey, 1884
Music: Salve, festa dies (Baden-Powell)
Meter: 10 10 with Refrain
Website compiled by Steve Benner, 2000-2003.