The day of resurrection

Despite it's anglicized name, this is a German tune that appeared first in Gesangbuch der Herzogl. Hofkapelle, Würtemberg, 1784, with the text "Ave Maria, klarer und lichter Morgenstern", (Hail Mary, clear and bright morning star). It reappeared, with some accumulated changes, as ELLACOMBE in the 1868 supplement to Hymns Ancient and Modern and applied to a children's hymn. The hymn 'The day of resurrection' is adapted from one of the eight Golden Canons for Easter, c. 750 and often attributed to St. John of Damascus, one of the great hymnographers church at Constantinople and considered by Rome to be the last of the Church Fathers. He is to Byzantine chant (kanon) what Pope Gregory was to Western chant a century and a half earlier - and three centuries before the schism of the western and eastern churches. The 8th C. author based his eight odes, of which this hymn is from the first, in part from two 4th C. homilies by Gregory of Nanzianzus. This hymn of ancient pedigree was composed in kanon form for use at the Easter vigil, and the original is in Greek. Academic curiosity will find a scholarly discussion at the Hymmnology Archive, including the Greek.

Further Reading:

• Canon for Easter Day, Internet Sacred Text Archive, ff.
• Ἀναστάσεως ἡμέρα (Tr. as The Day of Resurrection), with original Greek Hymnology Archive

This is an all new arrangement, part of our series, Hymns of St.John's Gloucester, John Churchwell, Music Director.

Current Versions /  March 2026

• added version for string quintet or ensemble in five parts (score US LGL portrait)
  • ELLCM-5xSTR-SJC
  • Also includes Isaac Watts' I sing the mighty power of God
• added version for two trumpets (score US LTR landscape)
  • ELLCM-2TR-SJC

Previous Versions (Brass Quintet)

Version 10.1..1

pub. Jan 2025

• Revised intro
• Revised bridge
• Lowered half step to A-flat
• Slight change to descant

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Version 9.12.8.8

• minor voice leading changes (organ)
• New house styles / improved legibility

Previous Versions

9.12.8.7

• rephrased brass and organ incipit
• minor adjustments to bridge
• minor voice leading adjustments (organ)

9.12.8

tweaked brass incipit and bridge
minor voice leading adjustments (organ)

9.12.7

• rephrased brass incipit and bridge
• added score at concert pitch

v. 9.12.6

• Opening phrase rewritten - terraced voices redistributed, more dense
• Timpani part edited, cues added alternate part for Horn in no key signature, with all accidentals written in
• Edited passagework in brass sections
• Numerous small improvements to sheet music

1
The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.

2
Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and, listening to his accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.

3
Now let the heavens be joyful,
let earth her song begin,
the round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein;
let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.

The day of resurrection, c. 750; tr. John Mason Neale, 1862