When you think of Easter, what hymn or song pops into your head? It’s sort of an interesting exercise. If you are raised in the church, it might reveal your upbringing or church of origin. If your parents were Jesus people, Keith Green may race into your head with “Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing that you can be born again…” A little older or less hip parents: “Because He Lives.” Independent Fundamental Bapticostal types might remember “He Lives! He Lives! Christ Jesus Lives Today!” or “Up from the Grave He Arose! With a Mighty Triumph O’er His Foes!” If you were confirmed Lutheran, perhaps it’s “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands.” Other traditional churches might have imparted, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today! A-a-a-a-a-le-lu-u-ia!”
As for me, I always think of “This Joyful Eastertide.” One year in Austin, but the hymnody of Redeemer Presbyterian sticks to the brain.
The beautiful thing is that as I consider these hymns, I may have preferences, but there is a clear message: He is Risen! Happy Easter.
Well, for me it would be “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/j/j038.html Wesley’s “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” was written to be sung to the same tune as this one (EASTER HYMN) but this is the “original.”
I must admit I have a soft spot for the “Easter Song” (Written by Annie Herring of 2nd Chapter of Acts, BTW, not Keith Green) but more for listening to than for singing.
I love listening to “This Joyful Eastertide” as well, but not so much singing it. High F’s (or high G’s in some hymnals) and Sunday mornings just don’t go together well.
If you don’t know this one (especially to my friend Lee Scott’s tune TILTON) you should get to know it: http://knowtea.com/?p=906
To me, there is only one version of the Easter song ;) I have never liked the 2nd Chapter of Acts version. Even as a kid. (And my parents hated 2CoA so they would never have played it.) A college friend of mine did a lip sync several years ago you can find on vimeo if you search… only not blasphemous because I know he means it!
I call my sisters and mom every Easter and sing them “Up from the Grave.”
Thank you for reminding me about “hear the bells ringing”….I do love that. But for me it’s Jesus Christ is Risen Today!
So many of those take me back to other seasons of my life. This year I dwell on the Orthodox version: Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tomb, bestowing life!
for me, it’s “now the green blade rises” and “thine is the glory”.