7th Day of Easter - That Easter Day

That Easter Day

My little choir at Sardis UMC had just started rehearsing this for our Easter anthem on our last rehearsal together in early March. I am very glad we avoided the virus spread that happened at some choir rehearsals the same week. Choir rehearsals can be “super spreader events.”

 I’m surprised that this Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance is the closest to the arrangement I had in my head ...with a mite fewer voices and instruments. Maybe 8 voices and a flute?

This song needs to be dance-like and full of energy, not plodding at a slow tempo with an overpowering organ like most versions online. Mack Wilberg is a fine arranger who strikes a delicate balance between staying true to a melody while milking it for all it is worth for his massive performing forces.

Even world class choirs are hard to understand, so the text is provided below. It was written by Michael Praetorius, a German composer who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The tune is also called Puer Nobis and is sometimes used for Christmas texts.

That Easter Day with joy was bright, the sun shone out with fairer light,
When to their longing eyes restored, the apostles saw their risen Lord.

His risen flesh with radiance glowed; his wounded hands and feet he showed;
Those scars their solemn witness gave that Christ was risen from the grave.

O Lord of all, with us abide in this, our joyful Eastertide;
From every weapon death can wield, thine own redeemed forever shield.

All praise, O risen Lord, we give to thee, who dead, again does live; 
To God the Father equal praise, and God the Holy Spirit raise.