1. The strife is o'er, the battle done; The victory of life is won; The song of triumph has begun: Alleluia! 2. The powers of death have done their worst; But Christ their legions hath dispersed; Let shouts of holy joy outburst: Alleluia! 3. The three sad days are quickly sped; He rises glorious from the dead; All glory to our risen Head! Alleluia! 4. He closed the yawning gates of hell; The bars from heaven's high portals fell; Let hymns of praise His triumphs tell! Alleluia! 5. Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee, From death's dread sting Thy servants free, That we may live, and sing to Thee: Alleluia! Chorus: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Lyrics: Latin hymn
Music: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Tune: VICTORY
Meter: 8.8.8. with Alleluias
Anonymous Latin hymn from approximately 1605
English translation by Francis Pott, 1832–1909
This Easter hymn first appeared anonymously in a Jesuit collection, Symphonia Sirenum, published in Cologne, Germany, in 1695. It was more than 150 years after its writing, however, before this hymn was used by English-speaking churches. In 1859 the translation was made by Francis Pott, an Anglican minister. The music is an adaptation from the “Gloria Patri,” published in 1591 by Palestrina, the 16th century Catholic composer and director of the performing choir at St. Peter’s church in the Vatican. This musical arrangement was made by Dr. William H. Monk for inclusion in the well-known Anglican hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861 edition. In making this musical adaptation from Palestrina’s work, Dr. Monk used the first two phrases, repeated the first phrase and added original alleluias for the beginning and the end. (Alleluia is a Latin form of the Hebrew Hallelujah, which means “praise the Lord!”).