Christ the Lord is risen today!

154 Easter Hymn. 7. 7. 7. 7. with Alleluias

1 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
   Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
   Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
   Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

2 Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
   Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
   Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
   Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

3 Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
   Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
   Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
   Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

4 Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
   Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
   Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
   Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
                         Charles Wesley
                        The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
The United Methodist Hymnal of 1989 adds two verses:

5 Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
   Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
   Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
   Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

6 King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
   Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
   Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
   Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

This is definitely one of my favorite hymns of all time. It speaks to the promise of what Christ has done and shows the path for us as Christians—through the cross and the grave to the skies. And we can experience much of the future promise today by faith, after all, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies at the right hand of God!
</idle musing>