Scripture References:
ref. = see commentary
st. 1 = see commentary
st. 2 = Matt. 28: 1
st. 3 = Matt. 28:5-6
st. 4 = Matt. 28:6
st. 5 = Matt. 28:6-7 (Luke 24:5)

This song is based on the Easter story in Matthew 28: 1-10 (also in Mark 16 and Luke 24). The original Dutch versification was a group effort by those who prepared many Bible songs for children (see also PHH 151); it was first published in volume 1 of Alles wordt nieuw (1966), part of a series of Dutch children's hymnals. Using the pen name Sietze Buning, Stanley Wiersma (PHH 25) translated that volume into English to produce All Will Be New (vol. 1, 1982). The refrain captures something of the traditional Easter greeting:

Christ the Lord is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Stanza 1 sets the context of the song by offering a theological summary about the significance of Christ's resurrection, and stanzas 2 through 5 narrate the Easter story.

Liturgical Use:
Easter–sing stanzas 2 through 5 and the refrain to focus only on the narrative part of the song, or, alternatively, sing the entire song and repeat stanza 1 after stanza 5 to set the narrative in a theological frame.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

The Dutch musician Wim ter Burg (PHH 151) composed OPGESTAAN, a spritely melody designed for unison singing in continual motion, that is, without pauses between the stanzas and refrain. OPGESTAAN, the Dutch word for "resurrection," has a nice touch of imitation in the harmony of the refrain, where the bass part begins by imitating the melody. Use a variety of instruments on the refrain with its descant, including bells, recorder, flute, and trumpet. Orff instruments and recorders work nicely as accompaniment for small congregations or children's choir. For variety, a soloist or children's choir can sing the angel's words (in quotation marks). Keep the energy going!

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook