Words: Un­known author (Ad coe­nam Ag­ni pro­vi­di); trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by (1818-1866).

Music: Rex Glor­i­ose, French church mel­o­dy. Al­ter­nate tune:


The Lamb’s high banquet we await
In snow white robes of royal state;
And now, the Red Sea’s channel past,
To Christ, our Prince, we sing at last.

Upon the altar of the cross
His body hath redeemed our loss;
And tasting of His roseate blood
Our life is hid with Him in God.

That Paschal eve God’s arm was bared;
The devastating angel spared:
By strength of hand our hosts went free
From Pharaoh’s ruthless tyranny.

Now Christ our Paschal Lamb is slain;
The Lamb of God that knows no stain;
The true oblation offered here,
Our own unleavened Bread sincere.

O Thou from Whom hell’s monarch flies,
O great, O very Sacrifice,
Thy captive people are set free,
And endless life restored in Thee.

For Christ, arising from the dead,
From conquered hell victorious sped;
He thrusts the tyrant down to chains,
And Paradise for man regains.