LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for Resurrection Sunday / Easter Sunday, Year A

Hymns and song suggestions, based on themes from the Revised Common lectionary for celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Sunday), Year A.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included.

A small selection of hymns which are, or may be, still copyright are also included where they are a particularly good for for the theme(s).

Easter Sunday
Year A

2nd Sunday of Easter:
Year A

Readings

First:

Acts 10:34-43 - Peter gives Cornelius an eyewitness account of Jesus: his life and work, his death and his resurrection.

OR
Jeremiah 31:1-6 - I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people - I have loved you with an everlasting love

Psalm: 118 - This day was made by the Lord, we rejoice and are glad / Give thanks to the Lord / The Lord's right hand has triumphed / The stone which the builders rejected.

Second:

Colossians 3:1-4 - Let your thoughts be on heavenly things - now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God.

OR
Acts 10:34-43 - see above

Gospel:
John 20:1-18 - Mary of Magdala discovers that the tomb is open, she tells the disciples and they go to the tomb .. they saw and understood and believed. Mary remains in the tomb weeping, Jesus appears to her, but tells her that he must ascend to the Father.
OR

Matthew 28:1-10 -

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb, there was an earthquake as an angel of the Lord came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow ... the guards shook and became like dead men. The angel said "Do not be afraid; ... Jesus ...is not here; for he has been raised ...go quickly and tell his disciples, '....he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him." The women ran to tell his disciples - and met Jesus as they went.

Themes

Resurrection, life out of death, rejoicing, alleluia.

Free artwork

See lectionary art for this Sunday for suggested pictures and art-works based on today's readings.

Free-use hymns

All you that Seek the Lord who Died - Wesley

Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven - Wordsworth

Awake, My Heart, With Gladness - Kelly

Before the Throne of God Above - Bancroft

Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands - Massie, tr from Luther

Christ is Risen Alleluia - Monsell

Christ the Lord is Risen Again - Winkworth

Christ the Lord is Risen Today - Wesley

Come Christians Join to Sing

Come let us with our Lord Arise - Wesley

Come Ye Faithful Raise the Strain

Finished the Strife of Battle Now - Neale

Good Joseph had a Garden

Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise

Hark Ten Thousand Voices Sounding - Kelly

He is Lord

I Know that My Redeemer Lives

Jesus Christ is Risen Today

Jesus Lives: thy Terrors Now - Cox

Light's Glittering Morn Bedecks the Sky - Neale

Love's Redeeming Work is Done - Wesley

Low in the Grave he Lay

One Day when Heaven was Filled with his Praises - Chapman

O Sons and Daughters let us Sing

Sing God's Easter People Sing - Mowbray

That Easter Day with Joy was Bright

The Day of Resurrection - Neale

The Strife is O’er - Pott

The Whole Bright World Rejoices Now - Dearmer

Thine be the Glory

This is the Day - Garrett, or various other versions

This Joyful Eastertide

Thou art the Way: to Thee Alone - Doane

Hymns which may still be copyright

After Darkness Light - Green

All Heaven Declares - Richards

Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia - Olson

Christ has Risen While Earth Slumbers - Bell/Maule

Christ is Alive let Christians Sing - Wren

Christ is Risen as he Said - Dudley-Smith

Christ is the World's Light, he and None Other - Pratt Green

Come all who Look to Christ Today - Jones

First of the Week and Finest Day - Mowbray

Glory in the Highest to the God of Jeaven - Idle

He has Risen - Richards

Jesus is Lord! Creation's voice proclaims it - Mansel

Led like a Lamb to the Slaughter - Kendrick

Let us Talents and Tongues Employ - Kaan

Now is Eternal Life - Briggs

Now the Green Blade Riseth

Resurrection Hymn (See What A Morning) - Townend

Sing Alleluia to the Lord

Sing, God's Easter people, sing! - Mowbray

This is the Day - Garrett, or various other versions

Three Days - Ridge

Walking in a Garden at the Close of Day - Greenwood

We have a Gospel to Proclaim - Burns