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!

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Let Us Find Our Rest in Thee

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, first published in 1744 as part of Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord, it was written by the "Bard of Methodism", Charles Wesley (1707-1788). It is set to the tune, Stuttgart by German composer, Christian Friedrich Witt (1660-1716), first published in 1715 as part of Psalmodia Sacra. Another popular tune used in hymnals is Hyfrydol. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus is used during Advent.



COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS by Charles Wesley, 1744 (Public Domain)

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal
Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Joy of Heaven, to Earth Come Down.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, first published in 1747 was written by Methodist, Charles Wesley (1707-1788). Of the some 6500 hymns he wrote, this remains one of the most popular and is generally considered one of his finest works. While often sung to the tune, Beecher, the version found in the Breviary is set to Hyfrodol, written in 1830 by the Welsh musician, Rowland H. Prichard (1811-1887). Another popular setting is to the tune, Blaenwern (as shown in the 2nd video). In the Liturgy of the Hours Love Divine, All Loves Excelling is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer and also on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.


Tune: Hyfrodol

LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING by Charles Wesley, 1747 (Public Domain)

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Tune: Blaenwern