He is Risen Tell the Story / Jesus Christ the Son of God

This is a folk-style hymn Jesus' resurrection, which is particularly suitable for Easter Sunday.

It was written by American Roman Catholic priest, teacher, playwright, folk-composer and author Willard F (Bill) Jabusch (1930-2018).

With meter 8.7.7.8.8.7.7, it is set to a traditional Polish mazurka tune, W ZLOBIE LEZY - composer unknown, which is also used for the Christmas song, Infant Holy Infant Lowly.

Hymn-books which it has been published in include:

20th Century Folk Hymnal, volume 3 - Kevin Mayhew Ltd, UK, 1976
Catholic Hymns Old and New, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2009
Celebration Hymnal for Everyone, McCrimmon Publications UK, 1994 and 2012
Laudate, Decani Publications, UK.

It does not appear to have been published in the USA. But it is used in parts of Asia and Africa, probably having been taken there by missionaries from the UK and Ireland.

Downloads

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Lead sheet (melody + guitar chords)

PowerPoint slides

Examples

Music group (and congregation) with keyboard:

Choir with keyboard / band - with words on-screen:

Choir with synthesizer - professional recording

ABC Notation

An explanation of ABC notation

X:1

  T:He is Risen Tell the Story

  Z:abc-transcription www.GodSongs.net 

  M:3/4

  L:1/4

  K:Gmaj

  D/2D/2 |"G"G G F/2G/2 | "D"A A "D7"B/2c/2 | "G"d "C"c "D7"B/2A/2 | "G"G2
  D/2D/2 |

  G G "D"F/2G/2 | A A "D7"B/2c/2 | "G"d "C"c "D7"B/2A/2 | "G"G2 G/2F/2 |

  "C"E E "Am"A/2G/2 | "D"F F "B"B/2A/2 | "Em"G G "C"c/2B/2 | "D"A A "D7"B/2c/2
  |

  "G"d "C"c "D7"c/2B/2 | "G"G2 "D7"B/2c/2 | "G"d "C"c "D"c/2B/2 | "G"G2 z2 |]

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website (a fair way down the page). A rough outline is:

1. He is risen, tell the story to the nations of night;
From their sins and from their blindness, let them walk in Easter light;
Now begins a new creation, now has come our true salvation,
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2. Mary goes to tell the others of the wonders she has seen;
John and Peter come a’ running, what can all this truly mean?
O Rabboni, Master holy, to appear to one so lowly!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

3. He has cut down death and evil; he has conquered all despair;
He has lifted from our shoulders all the weight of anxious care;
Risen Brother, now before you, we will worship and adore you,
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

4. Now get busy, bring the message, so that all may come to know
There is hope for saint and sinner, for our God has loved us so.
Ev’ry church bell is a’ringing, ev’ry Christian now is singing,
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.