 | Wood-notes and Church-bells |  |
242
PRACTISING THE EASTER HYMN.
Hark, the voices rise and fall
Echoing from each hallowed wall,
“Jesus Christ is risen to-day,
Our triumphant holiday.”
Echoing from each hallowed wall,
“Jesus Christ is risen to-day,
Our triumphant holiday.”
Easter Day not yet is here,
Gladdest feast of all the year;
But the colour streaks the skies
Where its glory soon will rise.
Gladdest feast of all the year;
But the colour streaks the skies
Where its glory soon will rise.
Soon the morning will roll round,
When there burst from underground
Such a Sunrise as the world
Ne'er before had seen unfurled.
When there burst from underground
Such a Sunrise as the world
Ne'er before had seen unfurled.
243
On that Easter Day of old
'Twas not crimson cloud or gold,
But a Form of dazzling white
Which surprised the morning light.
'Twas not crimson cloud or gold,
But a Form of dazzling white
Which surprised the morning light.
And our hearts within us burn,
Each year hailing its return;
And we watch with faithful eye
For the glory in the sky.
Each year hailing its return;
And we watch with faithful eye
For the glory in the sky.
Let young voices then unite
With the organ's billowy might,
Practising the Easter Hymn
In the Church's twilight dim:
With the organ's billowy might,
Practising the Easter Hymn
In the Church's twilight dim:
That with full melodious throat
They may warble every note,
When the morning bids them bless
Christ the Sun of Righteousness.
They may warble every note,
When the morning bids them bless
Christ the Sun of Righteousness.
244
Thus in temples made with hands:
While in Nature's temple stands
Every creature brightly drest
In Spring's resurrection-vest.
While in Nature's temple stands
Every creature brightly drest
In Spring's resurrection-vest.
Early buds their green unfold,
Early flowers spread out their gold;
Birds, new-deckt in shining feather,
Shake their sweetest notes together.
Early flowers spread out their gold;
Birds, new-deckt in shining feather,
Shake their sweetest notes together.
All make ready for the day
Which rolled Sin's ‘great stone’ away:
All blend music with life's breath
For the Conqueror of Death.
Which rolled Sin's ‘great stone’ away:
All blend music with life's breath
For the Conqueror of Death.
For that Easter Choir would we—
Hearts and voices—wanting be?
Oh, let us our part prepare
With wise thought and humble prayer.
Hearts and voices—wanting be?
Oh, let us our part prepare
With wise thought and humble prayer.
245
Sin and sorrow let Faith leave
In Christ's grave on Easter Eve;
And on Easter morn arise
Singing to the cloudless skies!
In Christ's grave on Easter Eve;
And on Easter morn arise
Singing to the cloudless skies!
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