Sunday, March 23

Welcome, Happy Morning

“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say:
“Hell today is vanquished, Heav’n is won today!
Lo! the dead is living, God forevermore!
Him, their true Creator, all His works adore!

“Welcome, happy morning!"
Age to age shall say.


Earth her joy confesses, clothing her for spring,
All fresh gifts returned with her returning King:
Bloom in every meadow, leaves on every bough,
Speak His sorrow ended, hail His triumph now.

“Welcome, happy morning!"
Age to age shall say.


Months in due succession, days of lengthening light,
Hours and passing moments praise Thee in their flight.
Brightness of the morning, sky and fields and sea,
Vanquisher of darkness, bring their praise to Thee.

“Welcome, happy morning!"
Age to age shall say.


Maker and Redeemer, life and health of all,
Thou from heaven beholding human nature’s fall,
Of the Father’s Godhead true and only Son,
Mankind to deliver, manhood didst put on.

“Welcome, happy morning!"
Age to age shall say.


Thou, of life the Author, death didst undergo,
Tread the path of darkness, saving strength to show.
Come, then True and Faithful, now fulfill Thy Word;
Tis Thine own third morning; rise, O buried Lord!

“Welcome, happy morning!"
Age to age shall say.


Loose the souls long prisoned, bound with Satan’s chain;
All that now is fallen raise to life again;
Show Thy face in brightness, bid the nations see;
Bring again our daylight: day returns with Thee!

3 comments:

Kim G. said...

George,
This is a great poem! Who wrote it? I especially like the idea of spring decorating herself for her returning king. It appears that the author might have been impacted by several of the Psalms. Thanks for publishing it.

Kim

gileskirk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
gileskirk said...

Kim: I read portions of this hymn in my Easter sermon this past Sunday. It was written in Latin at the end of the 6th century by Venatius Fortunatus and translated into English in the 19th century by John Ellerton. I love it.