How calm and beautiful the morn
That gild the sacred tomb,
Where Christ the crucified was borne,
And veiled in midnight gloom!
O weep no more the Saviour slain;
The Lord is risen; He lives again.
Ye mourning saints, dry every tear
For your departed Lord;
Behold the place, he is not here,
The tomb is all unbarred;
The gates of death were closed in vain:
The Lord is risen; He lives again.
Now cheerful to the house of prayer
Your early footsteps bend;
The Saviour will himself be there,
Your Advocate and Friend:
Once by the law your hopes were slain,
But now in Christ ye live again.
How tranquil now the rising day!
'Tis Jesus still appears,
A risen Lord to chase away
Your unbelieving fears:
O weep no more your comforts slain;
The Lord is risen; He lives again.
And when the shades of evening fall,
When life's last hour draws nigh,
If Jesus shine upon the soul,
How blissful then to die!
Since he has risen that once was slain,
Ye die in Christ to live again.
~ Thomas Hastings ~
1831
