1. Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia! 2. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O Death is now thy sting? Alleluia! Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O Grave? Alleluia! 3. Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened Paradise, Alleluia! 4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Foll'wing our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Lyrics: Latin carol, 14th century;
Verse 4: Charles Wesley
Music: "Lyra Davidica", London, 1708
Tune: EASTER HYMN
Meter: 7.7.7.7. with Alleluias
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788
“Christ the Lord is Risen Today” has been one of the church’s most popular Easter hymns since it was first written by Charles Wesley just one year after his “heart-warming” experience at the Aldersgate Hall in London, England, in 1738. The first Wesleyan Chapel in London was a deserted iron foundry. It became known as the Foundry Meeting House. This hymn was written by Charles for the first service in that chapel.
Following his Aldersgate encounter with Christ, Charles began writing numerous hymns on every phase of the Christian experience, some 6500 in all. It has been said that the hymns of Charles Wesley clothed Christ in flesh and blood and gave converts a belief they could easily grasp, embrace with personal faith, and if necessary, even die for.