"Christ was laid in Death's strong Bands." by Martin Luther, 1483-1546 Text From: THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1883), pp. 22-23 1. Christ was laid in Death's strong bands For our transgressions given. Risen, at God's right hand he stands And brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be Praising God right thankfully With loud songs of Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 2. None o'er Death could victory win; O'er all mankind he reigned. 'Twas by reason of our sin; There was not one unstained. Thus came Death upon us all, Bound the captive world in thrall, Held us 'neath his dread dominion. Hallelujah! 3. Jesus Christ, God's only Son, To our low state descending, All our sins away hath done Death's power forever ending. Ruined all his right and claim Left him nothing but the name, For his sting is lost forever. Hallelujah! 4. Strange and dreadful was the fray, When Death and Life contended; But 'twas Life that won the day, And Death's dark sway was ended. Holy Scripture plainly saith, Death is swallowed up of Death, Put to scorn and led in triumph. Hallelujah! 5. This, the Paschal Lamb, the Christ, Whom God so freely gave us, On the cross is sacrificed In flames of love to save us. On our door the blood-mark;-Faith Holds it in the face of Death. The Destroyer can not harm us. Hallelujah! 6. Therefore let us keep the feast With heartfelt exultation; God to shine on us is pleased, The Sun of our salvation. On our hearts, with heavenly grace, Beams the brightness of his face, And the night of sin has vanished. Hallelujah! 7. Eat th' unleavened bread to-day, And drink the paschal chalice; From God's pure word put away The leaven of guile and malice. Christ alone our souls will feed; He is meat and drink indeed. Faith no other life desireth. Hallelujah! ___________________________________________________________ Notes: Text: from "Christ ist erstanden"-gebessert. Hymn IX from "The Hymns of Martin Luther" Author: Martin Luther Translated by: unnamed in book Titled: "Christ lag in Todesbanden." Melody: derived from that of the older German hymn, 1525. Harmony: William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, 1865 1st Published in: "Enchiridion" Town: Erfurt, 1524 ______________________________________________________________ This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St.,Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (219) 481-2123 Fax: (219) 481-2126 ______________________________________________________________