This Joyful Eastertide

- Alan Smith

PDF Sample

Use: Eastertide
Required Resources: Unison choir, organ
Language: English

If your parish's musical repertoire for Easter could benefit from a tremendously versatile carol setting, then this piece is what you're looking for!

The familiar Dutch carol This Joyful Eastertide is set here for unison voices and organ by British composer Alan Smith. The joyful text was written by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1935), an Anglican clergyman also known for the carol text Ding, Dong, Merrily on High. Three verses are here set:

1. This joyful Eastertide, Away with sin and sorrow.
   My Love, the Crucified, Hath sprung to life this morrow.
   Had Christ that once was slain, Ne'er burst his three-day prison,
   Our faith had been in vain, But now is Christ arisen, arisen, arisen, arisen.
    
2. My flesh in hope shall rest, And for a season slumber.
   Till trump from east to west Shall wake the dead in number.
   Had Christ that once was slain, Ne'er burst his three-day prison,
   Our faith had been in vain, But now is Christ arisen, arisen, arisen, arisen.
    
3. Death's flood has lost his chill, Since Jesus crossed the river.
   Lover of souls, from ill My passing soul deliver.
   Had Christ that once was slain, Ne'er burst his three-day prison,
   Our faith had been in vain, But now is Christ arisen, arisen, arisen, arisen.

A lovely organ interlude precedes the final verse.

This setting can be sung by a children's choir, adult choir (equal or mixed voices), or even by a soloist. The accompaniment is ideal on organ manual(s), but can be played equally well on harpsichord or piano.