114 Jesus Christ Is Ris’n Today
Latin
Charles Wesley, 1707-88
This hymn, which Percy Dearmer called “the Easter hymn par excellence,” is based upon some Latin verses of an Easter carol of the 14th century, except verse 4, which is attributed to Charles Wesley. It is of unknown authorship, appearing with the tune “Easter Hymn” in a now rare book, Lyra Davidica.
“Allelujah” is “Hallelujah” with the “H” omitted to soften it.
For comments on Wesley see Hymn 6.
MUSIC. EASTER HYMN, one of the most famous of all hymn tunes, is from Lyra Davidica, or a Collection of Divine Songs and Hymns, partly New Composed, partly Translated from the High German and Latin Hymns; and set to easy and pleasant Tunes, published in London, 1708. The composer is unknown. The hymn and tune were headed, “The Resurrection.”