Easter

Let all the flowers wake to life; Let all the songsters sing; Let everything that lives on earth Become a joyous thing.

Wake up, thou pansy, purple-eyed, And greet the dewy spring; Swell out, ye buds, and o'er the earth Thy sweetest fragrance fling.

Why dost thou sleep, sweet violet? The earth has need of thee; Wake up and catch the melody That sounds from sea to sea.

Ye stars, that dwell in noonday skies, Shine on, though all unseen; The great White Throne lies just beyond, The stars are all between.

Ring out, ye bells, sweet Easter bells, And ring the glory in; Ring out the sorrow, born of earth— Ring out the stains of sin.

O banners wide, that sweep the sky, Unfurl ye to the sun; And gently wave about the graves Of those whose lives are done.

Let peace be in the hearts that mourn— Let "Rest" be in the grave; The Hand that swept these lives away Hath power alone to save.

Ring out, ye bells, sweet Easter bells, And ring the glory in; Ring out the sorrow, born of earth— Ring out the stains of sin.