Page 11 - NEWS_LETTER EASTER 2020
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The Story behind the hymn
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
- Charles Wesley
Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Based on Matthew 28: 1 to 10, co-founder of the Methodist
Church Charles Wesley wrote this Easter hymn in 1739. It was
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
initially titled Hymn for Easter Day and was based on an older
14th century anonymous Bohemian hymn, Jesus Christ is Risen
Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Today and was rst performed at the Foundery Meeting House.
Initially the hymn had eleven verses of four lines each but was
later edited by Martin Madan for inclusion in Psalms and Hymns
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! removing the seventh to ninth verses.
Fought the ght, the vict'ry won, Alleluia! The hymn gained immense popularity in the Church of England
but John Wesley, Charles' brother excluded it from the Wesleyan
Jesus' agony is o'er, Alleluia! Methodist Church, in his practice of precluding any seasonal
hymns. It is today considered the most de nitive church
Darkness veils the earth no more, Alleluia! anthem for Easter.
The overall focus of the hymn is where Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary is told by an angel of Jesus' resurrection found in
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Matthew Chapter 28. Some of the wording and the Alleluias
are also drawn from a number of Psalms and alludes to
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Revelation 19.
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
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