The United Methodist Hymnal

315

Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain

1.	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain 
	of triumphant gladness; 
	God hath brought forth 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.	'Tis the spring of souls today; 
	Christ hath burst his prison, 
	and from three days' sleep in death 
	as a sun hath 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 splendor, 
	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 thee as a mortal; 
	but today amidst the twelve 
	thou didst stand, bestowing 
	that thy peace which evermore 
	passeth human knowing.

5.	"Alleluia!" now we cry 
	to our King immortal, 
	who, triumphant, burst the bars 
	of the tomb's dark portal; 
	"Alleluia!" with the Son, 
	God the Father praising, 
	"Alleluia!" yet again 
	to the Spirit raising.

WORDS: John Mason Neale, 1859; John of Damascus
MUSIC: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1872
Scripture: Exodus 15
Theme: Christ's Gracious Life: Resurrection and Exaltation; Christian Year: Ascension; Christian Year: Easter; Jesus Christ; Processionals; Service Music: Doxology; Triumph