This is one of the Easter hymns I learned to sing while growing up in the Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarene). This is a small Anabaptist denomination which began in Switzerland in the 1800’s and spread throughout Europe and then other countries including the Americas. My family attended the Kitchener, Ontario, Canada congregation for many decades. The Apostolic Christian Hymnal or Zion’s Harp is still used regularly in their congregations.
This hymn tells the story of resurrection morning and the joy and hope that event provides for believers everywhere. I learned to appreciate the words and meaning of this hymn after my own conversion to Christ in my teens. I love the harmony and often fancied hearing it sung by a women’s a capella trio based on the first verse where it speaks of the three Marys who came to Jesus’ tomb with expectation that early morning so very long ago. Plus, I think the harmony would be awesome!
Most of the hymns in the mentioned hymnal were originally written in German in the 1800’s; then translated into various languages as needed, including English. The English version was originally published in 1940. This hymn, Coming to Christ’s Tomb At Dawning was included in this first English version and other updates of the hymnal which followed. Although no author of either the words or music were found, I did find some interesting things in my research for this hymn.
In 2019, a composer, Richard J. Barber, wrote and published a choral arrangement for this song for a four-part a capella choir. He wrote that Coming to Christ’s Tomb at Dawning is a happy, joyful arrangement that really catches the spirit of joy at the resurrection of Jesus, our Savior. I also found a recent 4-part flute recording by a distant relative of mine which I will link below.
May you sense the spirit of this hymn and find it as precious as I have!
Coming to Christ’s Tomb at Dawning
Zion’s Harp #319
Coming to Christ’s tomb at dawning, Ask ye in anxious care and mourning: “Who will roll us the stone away?” Gone it is, be ye not fearful Ye pious women, be not tearful, O come and see where Jesus lay! See angels standing there! Hear what their lips declare; “Hail hosanna! Hail hosanna! Why seek ye here your Master dear? He is not dead. Rejoice, He lives!”
Mouth to mouth is soon confiding The Resurrection’s joyous tiding. How anxious His disciples are! Evening falls! They watch are keeping, In trust and hope, in doubt and weeping, Lo! From Emmaus two Now bring the message true: “Jesus liveth! Jesus liveth!” Through suff’ring here, To glory there; That was His way: we are redeemed.
Praise to Thee in highest heaven, By thankful thousands now is given, O Victor, Whom Thine own adore! He hath peace who this believeth, Through Christ eternal life receiveth; Death’s fear and terror are no more. When the grave’s rest is past, Jesus will call the blest; “Children waken! Children waken!” He led the way and on that day He will bring us to glory there!
Sources: Apostolic Christian Hymnal/Zion’s Harp / Facebook.com/ Richard Joseph Barber / sheetmusicplus.com/composers / Heritage of Faith: A History of the Church with An Apostolic Christian Focus, Compiled by the Heritage Center Foundation and published by Heritage Press, Edelstein, IL