Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain

Full Text

1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness.
Loosed from Pharoah'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 has risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From His light, to whom is giv'n
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 gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus' resurrection!

4 For today among His own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
Nor the tomb's dark portal
Nor the watchers nor the seal
Hold Him as a mortal.

5 Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb's dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the straiin
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness!

Source: Lutheran Service Book #487

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Translator: J. M. Neale

Neale, John Mason, D.D., was born in Conduit Street, London, on Jan. 24, 1818. He inherited intellectual power on both sides: his father, the Rev. Cornelius Neale, having been Senior Wrangler, Second Chancellor's Medallist, and Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and his mother being the daughter of John Mason Good, a man of considerable learning. Both father and mother are said to have been "very pronounced Evangelicals." The father died in 1823, and the boy's early training was entirely under the direction of his mother, his deep attachment for whom is shown by the fact that, not long before his death, he wrote of her as "a mother to whom I owe more than I can express." He was educated at Sherborne Grammar School, and was afterwards… Go to person page >

Author: St. John of Damascus

John of Damascus, St. The last but one of the Fathers of the Greek Church, and the greatest of her poets (Neale). He was of a good family in Damascus, and educated by the elder Cosmas in company with his foster-brother Cosmas the Melodist (q. v.). He held some office under the Caliph. He afterwards retired to the laura of St. Sabas, near Jerusalem, along with his foster-brother. There he composed his theological works and his hymns. He was ordained priest of the church of Jerusalem late in life. He lived to extreme old age, dying on the 4th December, the day on which he is commemorated in the Greek calendar, either in his 84th or 100th year (circa 780). He was called, for some unknown reason, Mansur, by his enemies. His fame as a theologian… Go to person page >

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Related Texts

First Line:	Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
Greek Title:	Αϊσωμεν, πάντεζ λαοί
Translator:	J. M. Neale
Author:	St. John of Damascus
Meter:	7.6.7.6 D
Language:	English

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Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = 1 Cor. 15:20-28
st. 2 = Matt. 28:1-9

Eighth-century Greek poet John of Damascus (b. Damascus, c. 675; d. St. Sabas, near Jerusalem, c. 754) is especially known for his writing of six canons for the major festivals of the church year. (A canon is a form of Greek hymnody based on biblical canticles consisting of nine odes, each with six to nine stanzas.) His "Golden Canon" is the source of Easter hymns (see also 390). Written around 750 and inspired by the Song of Moses in Exodus 15, this text is John's first ode from the canon for the Sunday after Easter.

John's father, a Christian, was an important official at the court of the Muslim caliph in Damascus. After his father's death, John assumed that position and lived in wealth and honor. At about the age of forty, however, he became dissatisfied with his life, gave away his possessions, freed his slaves, and entered the monastery of St. Sabas in the desert near Jerusalem. One of the last of the Greek fathers, John became a great theologian in the Eastern church. He defended the church's use of icons, codified the practices of Byzantine chant, and wrote about science, philosophy, and theology.

All canons in the Greek church demonstrated how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ's resurrection. The first ode of each canon was based on the Passover event and on Exodus 15 as the metaphor for Christ's delivery of his people from the slavery of sin and death (seen more clearly at 390). That metaphor lies behind stanza 1. Stanza 2 uses images of spring and sunshine as metaphors for the new life and light of Christ. Stanza 3 concludes the text with an Easter doxology.

John M. Neale (PHH 342) translated the text in his article on Greek hymnology in the Christian Remembrancer (April, 1859) and reprinted it in his Hymns of the Eastern Church in 1862.

The three stanzas are taken from Neale's stanzas la and 3b (st. 1), his stanza 2 (st. 2), and a doxology from the 1868 edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (st. 3).

Liturgical Use:
Easter season.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

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Tune

ST. KEVIN

GAUDEAMUS PARITER

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Media

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Audio

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #389

Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
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The United Methodist Hymnal #315

Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
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MIDI file from Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #389
MIDI file from Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #389
MIDI file from The United Methodist Hymnal #315

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Page Scans

Celebrating Grace Hymnal (2010), p.206

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Instances

Text Title	First Line	Instances (25)	Authors	Composers	Meter	Scripture	Tune Title	Tune Key	Incipit	Languages	Publication Date
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Presbyterian Hymnal #114	St. John of Damascus; John Mason Neale		7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 14:29; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22	AVE VIRGO VIRGINUM	F Major		English	1990
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Presbyterian Hymnal #115	St. John of Damascus; John Mason Neale	Arthur Seymour Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 14:29; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22	ST. KEVIN	G Major		English	1990
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New #134									2000
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Hymns of Faith #172	John M. Neale; John of Damascus	Arthur S. Sullivan		Psalm 68:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54	[Come, ye faithful, raise the strain]	F Major or modal			1980
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Revival Hymns and Choruses #210	John of Damascus; John M. Neale, 1818-1866	Robert Williams; John Roberts			[Come, ye faithful, raise the strain]	F Major		English	1982
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Common Praise #215	John of Damascus (675?-749?); John Mason Neale (1818-1866)	Johann Horn (?-1547)	7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 114; John 20:19-31; Revelation 19:1-10; Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 114; John 20:19-31; Revelation 19:1-10	AVE VIRGO VIRGINUM (GAUDEAMUS PARITER)				1998
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Chalice Hymnal #215	John Mason Neale; John of Damascus, 8th century	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D		ST. KEVIN	F Major or modal		English	1995
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come ye faithful, raise the strain	Celebrating Grace Hymnal #218	John of Damascus; John Mason Neale	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D		ST. KEVIN	F Major or modal			2010
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Trinity Hymnal #265	John of Damascus, 8th cent.; John Mason Neale	Ernest MacMillan	7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 15:1	TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM	G Major		English	1990
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Trinity Hymnal #266	John of Damascus, 8th cent.; John Mason Neale	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 15:1	ST. KEVIN	F Major		English	1990
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Sing Joyfully #273	John M. Neale	Arthur S. Sullivan			[Come, ye faithful, raise the strain]	F Major		English	1989
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Rejoice in the Lord #315	J. M. Neale; John of Damascus	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D	Mark 15:46; Exodus 14:22; Matthew 27:66; Mark 4:28; Luke 24:36; John 20:19; John 20:26	ST. KEVIN			English	1985
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	The United Methodist Hymnal #315	John Mason Neale; John of Damascus	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 15	ST. KEVIN	G Major		English	1989
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Rejoice in the Lord #316	J. M. Neale; St. John of Damascus		7.6.7.6 D	Mark 15:46; Exodus 14:22; Matthew 27:66; Mark 4:28; John 20:19; John 20:26	AVE VIRGO	F Major		English	1985
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful, raise the strain	Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #347	John of Damascus, c. 696-c. 754; J. M. Neale, 1818-66		7.6.7.6.7.6.7.6		GAUDEAMUS PARITER	F Major		Greek; English	1996
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful raise the strain	Gather Comprehensive #441	John of Damascus, c. 675-c. 749; John M. Neale, 1818-1866	Johann Horn, c. 1495-1547	7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 15; Exodus 14:29; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28	GAUDEAMUS PARITER	F Major or modal		Greek; English	1994
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, ye faithful raise the strain	Gather Comprehensive, Second Edition #448	John of Damascus, c. 675-c. 749; John M. Neale, 1818-1866	Johann Horn, c. 1495-1547	7.6.7.6 D	Exodus 15	GAUDEAMUS PARITER	F Major or modal		Greek; English	2004
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, you faithful, raise the strain	Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal: A Sampler #11									2012
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, you faithful, raise the strain	Christian Worship: a Lutheran hymnal #142	John of Damascus, c. 696-c. 754; John M. Neale, 1818-66	Johann Horn, c. 1490-1547			GAUDEAMUS PARITER	F Major or modal			1993
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, you faithful, raise the strain	Voices United: The Hymn and Worship Book of The United Church of Canada #165	John of Damascus; John Mason Neale	Johann Horn; J. Leisentritt	7.6.7.6 D		AVE VIRGO VIRGINUM	F Major		English	1996
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, you faithful, raise the strain	Lift Up Your Hearts: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs #199	John Mason Neale, 1818-1866; John of Damascus, ca. 675-749	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D	Matthew 28:1-9; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28	ST. KEVIN	F Major or modal			2013
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, you faithful, raise the strain	The New Century Hymnal #230	John of Damascus, c. 696-c. 754 C.E.; John Mason Neale	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6 D	Luke 24; Exodus 15	ST. KEVIN	F Major or modal			1995
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, you faithful, raise the strain	Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #389	John of Damascus, 8th cent.; John Mason Neale	Arthur S. Sullivan	7.6.7.6.7.6.7.6	Matthew 28:8; 1 Corinthians 15	ST. KEVIN	F Major		English	1987
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain	Come, you faithful, raise the strain	Lutheran Service Book #487	John Mason Neale, 1818-66; John of Damascus, c. 696-c. 754	Johann Horn, c. 1490-1547; Theodore A. Beck, 1929-2003	7.6.7.6.7.6.7.6	Exodus 15:1-21; John 20:19-21; Romans 6:9-11	GAUDEAMUS PARITER	F Major or modal	115512365432111	English	2006
Psalm 114 (A Responsorial Setting)	Come you faithful raise the strain	Psalms for All Seasons: a complete Psalter for worship #114C(alt1)	John Mason Neale; John of Damascus, ca. 875-749			Psalm 114	GAUDEAMUS PARITER (AVE VIRGO VIRGINUM) (fragment)	F Major or modal			2012

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PowerPoint COME, YE FAITHFUL, RAISE THE STRAIN (Trinity Hymnal 266) Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain (Praise! Our Songs and Hymns 239) COME, YE FAITHFUL, RAISE THE STRAIN (United Methodist 315) COME, YOU FAITHFUL, RAISE THE STRAIN (Voices United 165)
Piano/Organ The Road to Redemption (Organ and Piano Duets for Palm Sunday to Easter) O Sacred Head (An Organ Collection for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter) The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ More Piano/Organ >
Choral God's Wondrous Love Five Hymn Accompaniments for Brass Quartet and Organ, Set 5 More Choral >
Instrumental Hymn Introductions and Descants for Trumpet and Organ, Set 1 More Instrumental >
Handbells GOOD KING WENCESLES Handbell Hymns for Lent and Easter More Handbells >

Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain

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