COME, YOU FAITHFUL, RAISE THE STRAIN

[1]
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness;
God has brought his Israel
into joy from sadness;
loosed from Pharaoh's bitter yoke
Jacob's sons and daughters;
led them with unmoistened foot
through the Red Sea waters.

[2]
Now the spring of souls has come,
Christ has burst his prison,
and from three days' sleep in death
as a sun has risen;
all the winter of our sins,
long and dark, is flying
from his light, to whom we give
laud and praise undying.

[3]
Now the queen of seasons, bright
with the day of splendour,
with the royal feast of feasts,
comes its joy to render;
comes to glad Jerusalem,
who with true affection
welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus'resurrection.

[4]
Neither might the gates of death,
nor the tomb's dark portal,
nor the watchers, nor the seal,
hold you as a mortal;
but today amidst the twelve
you did stand, bestowing
that your peace which evermore
passes human knowing.