It might be that I need a hobby, but I spent an hour hacking away at various unsatisfactory translations of the Easter Sequence -- "Victimae Pachali laudes" -- and cobbled together what I think is a somewhat better, if less poetical, version. The Easter Sequence, BTW, is one of 2 sequences (musical poems) that is not optional at Mass in the Roman liturgical season. Yet I'll bet that fewer than 1 in 100 churches included it at Easter Mass. Sigh!
Christians, to the Paschal Victim give sacrifice and praise!
The Lamb ransoms the sheep!
Christ, the Innocent, reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life contended in marvelous combat;
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Tell us, Mary, what you saw along the way?
"The tomb of Christ, who lives. I saw his resurgent glory; angels attesting to shroud and head napkin.
Christ, my hope, is arisen! To Galilee he goes before you."
We know that Christ indeed is risen from the dead,
To us, victorious King, give mercy!
Amen! Alleluia!
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Image from http://eutychusfell.blogspot.com/. Artist: British Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1833-1898.
Sorry for the late response. But thanks for the interest!
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