1. Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
for our offenses given;
but now at God’s right hand he stands,
and brings us life from heaven;
therefore let us joyful be,
and sing to God right thankfully
loud songs of alleluia! Alleluia!

2. It was a strange and dreadful strife
when life and death contended;
the victory remained with life;
the reign of death was ended;
stripped of power, no more he reigns,
an empty form alone remains;
his sting is lost forever! Alleluia!

3. So let us keep the festival
to which the Lord invites us;
Christ is himself the joy of all,
the sun that warms and lights us;
by his grace he doth impart
eternal sunshine to the heart;
the night of sin is ended! Alleluia!

4. Then let us feast this holy day
on the true bread of heaven;
the word of grace hath purged away
the old and wicked leaven;
Christ alone our souls will feed,
he is our meat and drink indeed;
faith lives upon no other! Alleluia!