Catholic Activity: Traditional Easter Hymns

There are many beautiful Easter songs, especially Latin chants, that the family can learn together. Children especially love to sing - a favorite tradition in my family on Easter morning was to wake up to a recording of the jubilant "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah!

DIRECTIONS

CHRIST THE LORD HATH RISEN
Copyright by Rushworth and Dreaper, Liverpool.

xxii century Melody;
Harmonized chiefly by G.R. Woodward.

1. Christ the Lord hath risen
From His three-day prison;
Meet it is to make merrie
Jesus will our solace be. Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

2. Christ to snap asunder.
Chains that kept us under
Satan's yoke, was slain of yore.
Now He lives to die no more. Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

3. Christ our Victor-giant,
Quells the foe defiant:
Let the ransomed people sing
Glory to the Easter King. Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

REGINA COELI

One of the most joyous anthems of the Church is the Regina Coeli. Too few of us know it as a prayer in the home, but many of us recall it as the Eastertide noonday prayer of our school days. There is a story about this anthem that gives it greater meaning. In a fearful pestilence our Lady's portrait reputedly painted by St. Luke was being carried in a procession which included Pope St. Gregory the Great. As they approached St. Peter's Basilica, the air became pure and free of pestilence. At the bridge which joins Rome to the Vatican, angels were heard singing above the picture: "O Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia! for He whom thou didst deserve to bear, Alleluia! has risen as He said, Alleluia."

When the heavenly music had ceased, St. Gregory added, "O pray to God for us, Alleluia," and raising his eyes to heaven, saw the destroying angel sheathing his sword where he stood atop the Mole of Hadrian. On the dome the Pope later erected an immense statue of the angel, his sword in scabbard. And to this day The Mole of Hadrian is called the Castle of Sant' Angelo.

The following vernacular version of the Regina Coeli has become quite popular. The adaptation, made by Rev. Raymond Avery, O.S.B., first appeared in the booklet Daily Compline.

O QUEEN OF HEAVEN

O Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia,
Because the Son you were chosen to bear, alleluia,
Has risen as he foretold, alleluia!
Pray for us, oh, pray to God, alleluia!

Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia
Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Activity Source: Family Customs: Easter to Pentecost by Helen McLoughlin, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1956