April 7, 2007
-
Happy Easter!
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ assures believers that all will end well for them, despite the sorrows and troubles they may experience in this life.
The old hymn below provides sort of a musical metaphor to that, in that it spends most of its time in a minor key, but resolves happily at the end of each verse. It's certainly not as upbeat a tune as "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" but I like it, and the lyrics. The cadence and regality of the hymn remind me of a madrigal.
I recorded only five verses of music, so for those millions of you sure to be singing along...unfortunately, verse 5 is the absolute worst one to end on, so you MUST play the music a second time through to accompany verses 6-9 and then just repeat verse 1 at the end for that "full circle" effect.
O Sons and Daughters of the King
1.O Sons and Daughters of the King,
Whom heav'nly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia!2.
That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!3.
An angel clad in white they see,
Who sits and speaks unto the three,
"Your Lord will go to Galilee."
Alleluia!4.
That night the apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear,
And said, "My peace be with you here."
Alleluia!5.
When Thomas first the tidings heard,
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples' word.
Alleluia!6.
"My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon my hands, my feet;
Not faithless, but believing be."
Alleluia!7.
No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"You are my Lord and God!" he cried.
Alleluia!8.
How blest are they who have not seen.
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia!9.
On this most holy day of days,
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voices raise.
Alleluia!Text: attr. Jean Tisserand, d. 1494; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.
Tune: French, 15th century
Recent Comments