Tune: NOEL NOUVELET

Words: Venantius Fortunatus, ca. 530-609; trans. John Ellerton, 1868

Music: Traditional French melody; arr. Martin Shaw, 1875-1958

View Lyrics
VERSE 1:
"Welcome, happy morning!" Age to age shall say;
Hell today is vanquished, heav'n is won today!"
Lo, the Christ is living, God forevermore!
Him, the true Creator, all His works adore.

VERSE 2:
Maker and Redeemer, Life and Health of all,
Thou from heav'n beholding human nature's fall,
Of the Father's Godhead, true and only Son.
Mankind to deliver manhood did put on.

VERSE 3:
Thou, of life the Author, death didst undergo,
Trod the path of darkness, saving light to show.
Come, then, True and Faithful, now fulfil Thy word;
'Tis Thine own third morning--rise, 0 buried Lord!

VERSE 4:
Loose the souls long prisoned, bound with Satan's chain;
All that now are fallen raise to life again.
Show Thy face in brightness, bid the nations see;
Bring again our daylight; day returns with Thee.