For works with similar titles, see Easter Day.
EASTER DAY.
DAWN of dawns, the Easter Day Far and wide in splendor breaks Darkest shadows flee away Where it breaks!
Veiled in its vernal light, Christ, the Light of Light, arose; From the grave's unbroken night He arose.
Though beneath the Cross He fell, Though upon the Cross He died, Led He captive Death and Hell When He died.
Overcome, He overcame; Conquered, more than Conqueror lives Crownèd King with Heaven's acclaim Jesus lives!
Through the gates of sacrifice He, the Victim, Victor went; Lo, His triumph lights the skies Since He went!
Darker than the night our sin, Silent as the tomb our life, Still His glory enters in— Light and life.
"Rise and follow Me," He saith; "Love as I have lovèd you. Rise to life that I through death Won for you."
Love that counts not sacrifice, Keeping nothing back from Him,—To such love must we arise, Following Him.
As He laid His garments by With the bondage of the grave, Clothed in Love's own Majesty Left the grave,—
Self, the earth's most earthy dress, Must we cast aside like Him, And putting on His righteousness Rise with Him.
He hath rolled the stone away Through Redemption's might for us,—Dawn of dawns, the Easter Day Breaks for us!