Hymns from the East Part 5

But, low in Hades' depths there shone Such light as never shone before; And prisoners saw the Light of lights, And joyed to feel their bondage o'er.

IV

O blessed art Thou, Christ, our Lord, For all the pain so meekly borne; The dark that hid Thee in Thy woe, Has ushered in a glorious morn.

I

To Thy Cross and Resurrection, Laud and praise we humbly give; In Thy death and life immortal, We will die, and ever live.

II

Christ Incarnate! by Thy Manhood, Thou to G.o.d hast brought me nigh; Christ the humble! by Thy meekness, Thou hast raised my horn on high.

III

Source of life! O Christ, the anguish Borne upon the cruel tree Lifts me to the bliss abiding, Where from suffering, souls are free.

IV

Endless praises, bright and thankful, Christ, to Thee be ever given, By the souls in sorrow singing, By the souls redeemed in heaven.

I

Light is dawning 'mong the hills, Light of light Thy beams display, All the darkness chase away, Light that dawned upon our ills.

II

Dark the day the Cross was raised By the hands of cruel men; Great Thy load of sorrow then; Angel hosts were sore amazed.

III

Dark the world while in the tomb, Lone in death the Saviour lay, Till the stone was rolled away, And His Rising quelled the gloom.

IV

Fadeless now, O Light of light, Glory of the Father, Thou, s.h.i.+ne upon Thy people now, Rise upon their darkest night.

I

Hail rising morn! for He hath risen; Hail light that gilds the Eastern skies; For, from the bonds of darkest prison, Thy first beams saw the Christ arise.

II

O merciful and gracious One!

The gates of Hades Thou hast rent, And by Thy Rising, Christ the Son, No more we lie in bondage pent.

III

To-day the lips of Adam sing; Eve hails the Christ of mankind born; And patriarchs and prophets bring Their hymns to greet the wondrous morn.

IV

And Thine the glory, Thine the power, By glowing hearts in praise expressed; For Thine the might, this glorious hour, By which the sons of men are blessed.

I

We wors.h.i.+p, Lord, before Thee now, For great, and good, and pure art Thou.

O Christ, the G.o.d, our stumblings heal, And lead us all Thy love to feel.

II

For of Thy will it pleased Thee well Here, in our flesh, with us to dwell, To bear the Cross, that we might be From Satan's servitude set free.

III

Wherefore we cry aloud and praise, With thankful voice, Thy name always; For, O! our Saviour, Thou didst bring The joy that makes our souls to sing.

I

Heavy laden with thy grief, Do thy tears like raindrops flow?

Christ hath all thy sorrows borne Long ago.

II

See Him in the garden, p.r.o.ne, While He poured His soul to G.o.d; Then He bore affliction keen, And the rod.

III

Weary, laden with thy sin, Dost thou bow beneath the load?

Cast the burden of thy woe, On thy G.o.d.

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