Something for the weekend. THE STRIFE IS O’ER, THE BATTLE DONE. The words were written by that most prolific of authors, anonymous, in the 12th century. The music is from Palestrina’s Magnificat Tertii Toni. This was all brought together by William Henry Monk in 1861 to produce this glorious hymn that celebrates that for faithful Christians death has no ultimate victory.
- The strife is o’er, the battle done;
The victory of life is won;
The song of triumph has begun:
Alleluia! - The pow’rs of death have done their worst;
But Christ their legions has dispersed;
Let shouts of holy joy outburst:
Alleluia! - The three sad days are quickly sped;
He rises glorious from the dead;
All glory to our risen Head:
Alleluia! - He closed the yawning gates of hell;
The bars from heav’n’s high portals fell;
Let hymns of praise His triumphs tell:
Alleluia! - Lord, by the stripes which wounded You,
In us You’ve won the vict’ry too,
That we may live, and sing to You:
Alleluia!
Surely one of our greatest hymns, and a personal favorite. I read in a bio that General George Patton made sure it would be sung at his funeral.
Thank you – I do have remind myself that the victory is won.
” The strife is o’er, the battle done; THE VICTORY OF LIFE IS WON; the song of TRIUMPH has begun: ALLELUIA !!
INDEED, the battle is won.
Thanks Jesus!
The Strife is O’er – I selected this as the last hymn at my mother’s and father’s funerals. Joy at the end of a Requiem Mass. The 4th anniversary of my mother’s death or rebirth was the 28th. For me a timely posting. Thank you.