| W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895. | | | | The Choruses of the Ascension | | Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) |
| | Translated by Sir Theodore Martin
Chorus of Angels CHRIST is ascended! | |
| Hail the glad token, | |
| True was it spoken, | |
| Sin’s fetters are broken, | |
| Man’s bondage is ended! | 5 |
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Chorus of Women With myrrh and with aloes | |
| We balmed and we bathed Him, | |
| Loyally, lovingly, | |
| Tenderly swathed Him; | |
| With cerecloth and band | 10 |
| For the grave we arrayed Him; | |
| But oh, He is gone | |
| From the place where we laid Him! | |
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Chorus of Angels Christ is ascended! | |
| The love that possess’d Him, | 15 |
| The pangs that oppress’d Him, | |
| To prove and to test Him, | |
| In triumph have ended! | |
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Chorus of Disciples He that was buried | |
| On high has ascended; | 20 |
| There lives in glory, | |
| Sublimely attended. | |
| In heaven whilst He reigneth, | |
| For us Who was slain here, | |
| On earth we, His chosen, | 25 |
| To suffer remain here,— | |
| To suffer and languish | |
| Midst pain and annoy; | |
| Lord, in our anguish, | |
| We envy Thy joy. | 30 |
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Chorus of Angels From the lap of corruption, | |
| Lo! Christ has ascended! | |
| Rejoice, for the fetters | |
| That bound you are rended! | |
| Praise Him unceasingly, | 35 |
| Love one another, | |
| Break bread together, like | |
| Sister and brother! | |
| Preach the glad tidings | |
| To all who will hear you, | 40 |
| So will the Master be | |
| Evermore near you! | | | | |
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