Joy to thee, mortal!

Out of His prison,

Forth from its portal!

Christ is not sleeping,

Seek Him no longer;

Strong was His keeping,

Jesus was stronger.

Christ is arisen.

Seek Him not here;

Lonely His prison,

Empty His bier;

Vain His entombing,

Spices and lawn,

Vain the perfuming,

Jesus is gone.

Christ is arisen.

Joy to thee, mortal!

Empty His prison,

Broken its portal!

Rising, He giveth

His shroud to the sod;

Risen He liveth,

And liveth to God.

--J. W. von Goethe