Hark! the voice of love and mercy Sounds a-loud from Cal

See, it rends the rocks a- sun - der, Shakes the earth, and veils the sky:

John of Damascus (8th cent.). Trans. by Rev. John M. Neale, 1862: verse 1, line 1, alt.

Led them with un- moistened foot Through the Red Sea

(See also CHESTNUT HILL, No. 428)

2 'Tis the spring of souls to-day:
Christ hath burst His prison,

And from three days' sleep in death
As a sun hath risen;

All the winter of our sins,

Long and dark, is flying
From His light, to whom we give
Laud and praise undying.

3 Now the Queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;

Comes to glad Jerusalem,
Who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus' resurrection.

4 Neither might the gates of death,
Nor the tomb's dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal,
Hold Thee as a mortal:
But to-day amidst the Twelve
Thou didst stand, bestowing
That Thy peace, which evermore
Passeth human knowing.

John of Damascus (8th cent.). Trans. by Rev. John M. Neale, 1859