Welcome, Happy Morning - Hymn with Lyrics

1. "Welcome, happy morning!"
age to age shall say:
"Hell today is vanquished;
heav'n is won today!"
Lo, the dead is living,
God forevermore!
Him, their true Creator,
all his works adore.

Refrain:
"Welcome, happy morning!"
age to age shall say:
"Hell today is vanquished;
heav'n is won today!"

2. Maker and Redeemer,
life and health of all,
God from heav'n beholding
human nature's fall,
of the Father's Godhead
you, the only Son,
mankind to deliver
manhood did put on. [Refrain]

3. Source of all things living,
you came down to die,
plumbed the depths of hell
to raise us up on high.
Come, then, true and faithful,
come fulfill your word;
this is our third morning—
rise, O buried Lord. [Refrain]

4. Free the souls long prisoned,
bound with Satan's chain;
all that now is fallen
raise to life again.
Show your face in brightness;
shine in ev'ry land
as in Eden's garden

when the world began. [Refrain]

Scripture; Psalm 30:5; Isaiah 25:8; 

Matthew 20:19; 

John 2:19

The hymn "Welcome, Happy Morning" was written by the renowned English hymn writer and theologian, John Ellerton (1826–1893). The hymn was first published in 1868, as part of the collection Hymns for the Church on Earth.

The lyrics of the hymn celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the joy that accompanies the Christian understanding of the Easter event. The first stanza, in particular, expresses the excitement and triumph of Easter morning, when Christ rose from the dead. The line "Welcome, happy morning!" emphasizes the joy of the resurrection and the renewal of hope for Christians.

The hymn is structured to echo the themes of Easter: victory over death, the restoration of life, and the beginning of a new era in Christianity. It highlights the profound significance of the resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian belief.

Ellerton wrote the hymn not only to be sung during the Easter season but also to remind believers of the fundamental Christian hope—life after death through the power of Christ's resurrection. The hymn's joyful and triumphant tone has made it a beloved piece of Easter worship in many Christian denominations.

Musically, the hymn is often paired with a lively, upbeat tune, reinforcing its message of joy and celebration.

In summary, "Welcome, Happy Morning" was written to celebrate Christ's resurrection and to inspire believers with hope and joy, and it has remained a cherished hymn in the Christian liturgical tradition.