Praise Him As He Mounts the Skies

He Will Come Again in Love, Alleluia!

Praise Him As He Mounts the Skies, first published in 1968, was written by the Scottish Jesuit priest, theologian and hymnwriter: James Quinn (1919-2010). From 1969 to 1976, Fr. Quinn acted in several capacities to the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL). They were responsible for the Vatican II translation of the Roman Rite from the original Latin into English; including the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. In the Divine Office, Praise Him As He Mounts the Skies is used at Ascension. It is sung to the tune: Lianfair (1817) written by Robert Williams (1781-1821).

Let the Earth Rejoice and Sing

Alleluia!

Let the Earth Rejoice and Sing was written by the Sulpician Priest, Fr. Melvin Farrell in 1955. It is set to the tune, Lianfair, first taken down in manuscript form in 1817 as sung by the blind Welch singer Robert Williams (1781-1821). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Let the Earth Rejoice and Sing is used at Ascension.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Wesley)

Lives Again Our Glorious King

Christ the Lord is Risen Today was written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788). First published in 1739, it is based upon the 14th cen­tu­ry anonymous La­tin hymn, Surrexit Christus Hodie. Wesley's work was sung during the first worship service of a London Wesleyan Chapel. It is set to the tune Lianfair by the blind Welsh singer, Robert Williams (1781-1821). He make a living weaving baskets. Tunes he composed were eventually written down and compiled in a manuscript around 1817. Wesley's hymn is similar to Hymn #118 of the Office. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Christ the Lord is Risen Today is used with the Office for the Dead and during Easter.

Tune: Lianfair

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY by Charles Wesley, 1739 (Public Domain)

1. Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

2. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

3. Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

4. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

5. Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

6. Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

7. King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

8. Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

9. But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

10. Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today / Surrexit Christus Hodie

Praise to God the Son, Our King. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today is based upon the 14th cen­tu­ry Bo­hem­i­an La­tin car­ol, Sur­rex­it Christ­us Ho­die (see below) by an unknown author. A popular setting of the Latin text (see 2nd video) was composed by Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654). An English translation of the first stanza set to the anonymous tune: Easter Hymn, first appeared in the Lyra Da­vid­i­ca (1708) of John Walsh. Stan­zas 2-3 were added by John Arnold (1720-1792)  in 1749, and William M. Reynolds (1812-1876) added the 4th in 1860. In 1739, Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote another version and set it to a different tune. It is included as Hymn #120 in the Office. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Jesus Christ is Risen Today is used at Easter.

Tune: Easter Hymn

JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY by John Arnold, John Walsh, William M. Reynolds (Public Domain)

1. Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3. But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

4. Praise to God the Father sing, Alleluia.
Praise to God the Son our King, Alleluia.
Praise to God the Spirit be, Alleluia.
Now and through eternity, Alleluia.

Surrexit Christus Hodie (with Alleluias) by Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654)

SURREXIT CHRISTUS HODIE by Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654)

Surrexit Christus hodie. Alleluia!
Humano pro solamine. Alleluia!
In hoc Paschali gaudio. Alleluia!
Benedicamus Domino. Alleluia!
Mortem qui passus pridie. Alleuia!
Miserrimo pro homine. Alleuia! 
Laudetur sancta Trinitas. Alleluia!
Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluia!


SURREXIT CHRISTUS HODIE (14th Cen­tu­ry, anonymous)

1. Surrexit Christus hodie
Humano pro solamine.
Mortem qui passus pridie
Miserrimo pro homine. 

2. Mulieres ad tumulum
Dona ferunt aromatum,
Album cernentes angelum
Anuntiantes gaudium.

3. Mulieres o tremulae,
In Galilaeam pergite,
Discipulis hoc dicite,
Quod surrexit rex gloriae.

4. Ubique praecedet suos,
Quos dilexit, discipulos.
Sit benedictus hodie,
Qui nos redemit sanguine. 

5. Ergo cum dulci melodo
Benedicamus Domino.
Laudetur sancta trinitas,
Deo dicamus gratias.