Awake thou wintry earth,
fling off, fling off thy sadness;
ye vernal flowers laugh forth,
laugh forth your ancient gladness.
A new and lovely tale
through-out the land is spread;
it floats o’er hill and dale to tell that death is dead.
Descended to the grave,
where our beloved lie sleeping,
has Christ returned to save
our heart from woe and weeping.
O earth, break forth and sing,
renew thy bright array,
with fairest blooms of spring
bestrew the Saviour’s way.
The music is from Bach's Cantata 129, movement 5.
Performance of the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford; Stephen Farr, organ; Stephen Darlington conducting [YouTube]
