"Tis the spring of souls today"

From the hymn "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain," words by John of Damascus (675–749).

Tis the spring of souls today; Christ has burst His prison, And from three days’ sleep in death As a sun hath risen; All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying From His light, to whom we give Laud and praise undying.

Neither might the gates of death, Nor the tomb’s dark portal, Nor the watchers, nor the seal Hold Thee as a mortal; But today amidst the twelve Thou didst stand, bestowing That Thy peace which evermore Passeth human knowing.

"Alleluia!" now we cry To our King immortal, Who, triumphant, burst the bars Of the tomb’s dark portal; "Alleluia!" with the Son, God the Father praising, "Alleluia!" yet again To the Spirit raising.