the fourth attempt's the charm!

Easter ---- yet more hymnal wisdom

This, and a related song called "The Call," are regulars at my parish. The sheet music from which I learned them credits them to Ralph Vaughn Williams and a cycle named "Five Mystical Songs." However, I've never even heard of Vaughn Williams writing lyrics, only music. So to whom do these words really belong?

update fron email: Katherine from Berea (KY, not OH) wrote and let me know that "Easter" and "The Call" were written by George Herbert, and also warmed my heart by telling me she knew what an anchorhold is!

Rise, heart, thy Lord is risen;
thy Lord is risen.
Sing His praise;
sing His praise without delays.
Sing His praise without delays
Who takes thee by the hand,
that thou likewise with Him
mayest rise.

That, as His death
calcined thee to dust,
His life may make thee bold,
and, much more, just.

The cross taught all wood
to resound His name
Who bore the same.
His stretched sinews taught all strings
what key is best to celebrate
His most high name.

Exult, both heart and lute.
Exult, both heart and lute,
and twist a song pleasant and long;
or, since all music
is but three parts vied and multiplied,
oh, let the blessed Spirit bear a part
and make up our defects
with His sweet art.
.