I. Coro
Christ lag in Todesbanden,
für unser Sünd’ gegeben,
er ist wieder erstanden
und hat uns bracht das Leben;
des wir sollen fröhlich sein,
Gott loben und ihm dankbar sein
und singen hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
II. Soprano e Alto
Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt
bei allen Menschenkindern:
das macht alles unser Sünd,
kein Unschuld war zu finden.
Davon komm der Tod so bald
und nam über uns Gewalt,
hielt uns in seinem Reich gefangen.
Hallelujah!
III. Tenore
Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn,
an unser statt ist kommen,
und hat die Sünde weggetan,
damit den Tod genommen;
all sein Recht und sein' Gewalt,
da bleibet nichts denn Tod's gestalt;
den Stach'l hat er verloren.
Hallelujah!
IV. Coro
Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg,
da Tod und Leben rungen;
das Leben behielt den Sieg,
es hat den Tod verschlungen.
Die Schrift hat verkündigt das,
Wie ein Tod den andern fraß,
ein Spott aus dem Tod ist worden.
Hallelujah!
V. Basso
Hier ist das rechte Osterlamm,
davon Gott hat geboten,
Das ist hoch an des Kreuzes Stamm,
In heißer Lieb’ gebraten,
das Blut zeichnet unser' Tür,
Das hält der Glaub’ dem Tod für,
Der Würger kann uns nicht mehr schaden.
Hallelujah!
VI. Soprano e Tenore
So feiern wir dies hohe Fest
mit Herzensfreud’ und Wonne,
das uns der Herre scheinen läßt;
er ist selber die Sonne,
der durch seiner Gnaden Glanz
erleuchtet unsre Herzen ganz,
der Sünden Nacht ist verschwinden.
Hallelujah!
VII. Coro
Wir essen nun und leben wohl
im rechten Osterfladen,
der alte Sauerteig nicht soll
sein bei dem Wort der Gnaden,
Christus will die Koste sein
und speisen die Seel’ allein,
der Glaub’ will kein’s Andern leben.
Hallelujah!
--Martin Luther |
I. Chorus
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.
Wherefore let us joyful be,
and sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of Alleluia!
Alleluia!
II. Soprano & Alto
No son of man could conquer death,
such mischief sin had wrought us,
For innocence dwelt not on earth,
and therefore Death had brought us
Into thralldom from of old
and ever grew more strong and bold
And kept us in his bondage.
Alleluia!
III. Tenor
But Jesus Christ, God’s only Son,
to our low state descended,
The cause of Death He has undone,
his power forever ended,
Ruined all his right and claim
and left him nothing but the name,
His sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!
IV. Chorus
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 it reigns,
an empty form alone remains:
Death’s sting is lost forever!
Alleluia!
V. Bass
Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree—
so strong His love!—to save us.
See, His blood doth mark our door;
faith points to it, Death passes over,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Alleluia!
VI. Soprano & Tenor
So let us keep the festival
whereto 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!
VII. Chorus
Then let us feast this Easter 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!
--Translation, Richard Massie, 1854. |
In the bonds of Death He lay,
Who for our offense was slain,
But the Lord is risen today,
Christ hath brought us life again.
Wherefore let us all rejoice,
Singing loud with a cheerful voice
Hallelujah!
Of the sons of men was none
Who could break the bonds of Death,
Sin this mischief dire had done,
Innocent was none on earth;
Wherefore Death grew strong and bold,
Death would all men captive hold.
Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ, God's only Son,
Came at last our foe to smite,
All our sins away hath done,
Done away Death's power and right,
Only the form of Death is left,
Of his sting he is bereft;
Hallelujah.
'Twas a wondrous war, I trow,
When Life and Death together fought;
But life hath triumphed o'er his foe,
Death is mocked and set at nought;
Yea, 'tis as the Scripture saith,
Christ through death has conquered Death.
Hallelujah.
Now our Paschal Lamb is He,
And by Him alone we live,
Who to death upon the tree,
For our sake Himself did give.
Faith His blood strikes on our door,
Death dares never harm us more.
Hallelujah.
On this day most blest of days,
Let us keep high festival,
For our God hath showed His grace,
And our Sun hath risen on us all,
And our hearts rejoice to see
Sin and night before Him flee.
Hallelujah.
To the supper of the Lord,
Gladly we will come today,
The word of peace is now restored,
The old leaven is put away;
Christ will be our food alone,
Faith no life but His doth own.
Hallelujah.
--Translation, Catherine Winkworth, 1855
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