1 Dark was that day in nature,
When Christ was crucified;
When he, the world's Creator,
For guilty creatures died:
The loyal sun, astonish'd,
Refused to see the sight;
And man, in grief, admonish'd,
By shutting up his light.

2 Oh! who shall tell the story
Of our Redeemer's woes?
Who tell the heights of glory
His death on us bestows?
Three hours of pain excessive,
In patient grief he hung;
And bore our load oppressive,
Atoning for our wrong.

3 As shone the sun in splendour,
When three dark hours were run,
So Christ arose in grandeur,
When three dark days were gone:
When death's cold cup was tasted,
When from the tomb he rose,
To heaven with joy he hasted,
Victorious o'er our foes.

4 Lo! there he lives for ever
No more to suffer pain:
Our own almighty Saviour
For evermore doth reign:
For us he reigns victorious,
Expecting till we come
To share his mansion glorious--
Our everlasting home.