Easter-Even

Come and deck the grave with flowers
That is now a blessed bed.
Where the truest Friend of ours
Stoop'd to rest His holy Head:
For the Saviour, in it lying.
Did its grief and gloom destroy.
Took from death the dread of dying,
Gave to life its crown and joy.

Weeping once and hopeless sadness
Bound about its entrance lay.
Now it is the gate of gladness
Opening to eternal day:
For the Saviour, in it lying,
Did its grief and gloom destroy,
Took from death the dread of dying.
Gave to life its crown and joy.

Still, though weeping, yet with praises
Sing we of the spirits blest;
He who rose Himself will raise us
From this bed of mortal rest:
For the Saviour, in it lying,
Did its grief and gloom destroy.
Took from death the dread of dying,
Gave to life its crown and joy.

Sure and certain expectation
Waits around the Christian's grave.
Glorious and complete salvation
All through Him who died to save:
All through Him who, in it lying.
Did its grief and gloom destroy.
Took from death the dread of dying,
Gives to life its crown and joy.

Praise to God! of life the Giver,
Praise to Christ! its Saviour Lord,
Praise to God the Spirit! ever
On our hearts His gifts he pour'd:
Triune God! Thy life, supplying
Endless life, doth death destroy,
Takes from it the dread of dying,
Gives to life its crown and joy.