Never out of sequence: An accessible adaptation of the Easter Sequence

Every year, I try to make the Easter Sequence accessible by setting it to the words of a well-known hymn. This year, I set the words to Filii et Filliae, more popularly known as the Easter Alleluia. (If you aren't famliar with the tune, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p1NM_tjtJc)

The Easter Sequence is one of two (the other being sung at Pentecost) that is mandated at those feasts. It is sung immediately after the second reading, and followed immediately by the gospel acclamation, which can lead to a complex transition if the two pieces are in different musical styles (Gregorian chant v blues) . Anyway, feel free to use the adaptiation below, if used with the proper copyright and attribution info.

He is Risen. He is truly Risen!

Easter Sequence (to Easter Alleluia)

Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

Christians, give voice to our joy, let us sing

Hymns to the Paschaltide Victim and King!

Praises and thankfulness o-offering. Alleluia!

 

Lamb saving sheep: let all ravening cease;

Christ, the Just, granting the guilty release;

Sinners return to God’s table in peace. Alleluia!

Refrain 

Death and Life grappled and bitterly vied;

Life won the vict’ry -- deep, lofty and wide;

Now reigns the Lord of the Living who died. Alleluia!

 

Mary, what saw you as day was restored?

“The empty tomb of my Ri-isen Lord;

I saw Christ Jesus, alive and adored!” Alleluia!

Refrain 

Angels swear: grave clothes and shroud cast away;

Christ, my hope, risen in glory today;

Galilee-bound, he is making his way. Alleluia!

 

Share the good news, with rejoicing now sing!

From his death, vict’ry forever will spring;

Show us your mercy Lord, Victor and King. Alleluia!

 Refrain

Text: Victimae paschali Laude, attributed to Wipo of Burgundy. D. 1048?

Adaptation Copyright © 2014, Jean Edouard Pouliot