This is the Day, This is the Day

This simple hymn for Easter, sometimes regarded as a song for children. The first verse and chorus are based on Psalm 118:24.

New Zealand born and educated, Australian emigrant, Christian Life Centre pastor, Bible-college lecturer and musician, Lesley (Les) Garrett (1943-2017) is listed as the paraphraser in most early publications. Usually this implies he took an existing scripture translation, and set the words to a tune -in this case, a folk-tune from Fiji (an island-nation in the Pacific).

The song was reportedly first published in by Scripture in Song in Australia in 1967. In later publications, both the tune and the words of verse 1 are attributed to Garrett, but many people wonder about the accuracy of this:

The initial Australian publication or recording has not been identified.
The relationship between Les Garrett, and New Zealanders David and Dale Garrett who founded Scripture in Song New Zealand in 1968 has not been clarified, and their early publications don't attribute the song to him.

Early publications include:

Songs of Praise, Scripture in Song Recordings Ltd, New Zealand, 1973
Sound of Living Waters, Hodder & Stoughton, England 1974
20th Century Folk Hymnal, volume 4, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, England, 1978

The folk-process means that there are some variations in the tune and words used, eg the1970's Scripture in Song recording phrases it "this is the day that the Lord hath made".

The song has been translated to many languages: The Easter theme and simple tune makes useful when people are asked to share a verse of a hymn in their own language, with a wider group. Versions found so far:

Polish: Oto jest dzień - video
Apache: Díí Jii Gozhóó - video
Spanish: Éste es el día - video
Russian: Etot den', etot den' / Этот день сотворил Господь 0 - video
Hebrew: Zeh haYom - video
French: Voici le jour - video
Fijian - Oqo na siga- video
Maori - Anei te rā -
Samoan - O le aso lenei - video

Do you know where to find a version in another language? Leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

Lead sheet (melody + guitar chords)

PowerPoint slides

Big-note piano arrangement

Flowing-style piano arrangement

Examples

Singer with band - words on-screen

Duet with band

Mega church worship pastor with band

Singer with guitar - small snippet from his "Mass Bangers" series

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Luby (@paullubymusic)

Small music group with guitar and low-whistle, first verse in Polish

Choir with orchestra and guitar

Singer with piano, words on-screen

Singer with rock-band track

Instrumental - organ, with words on-screen

Instrumental track, words on-screen

Lyrics

This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made,
that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made.

This is the day, this is the day
when He rose again, when He rose again;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
when He rose again.

This is the day, this is the day
when the Spirit came, when the Spirit came;
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
when the Spirit came.

Other verses can be added as needed, eg "when the Christ was born" for Christmas.