Everything I said last year remains true.
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
the passover of gladness, the passover of God!
From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky,
our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
and, listening to his accents, may hear, so calm and plain,
his own "All hail!" and hearing may raise the victtor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful, and earth her song begin;
the round world keep high triumph, and all that is therein:
Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that has no end.
John of Damascus (d. c.750)
tr. J. M. Neale (1818-1866)