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© 2007, 2012 Stanley Edgar Rickard (Ed Rickard, the author). All rights reserved. If you would like to use this reading in an Easter program, see terms and conditions of use.
Fanfare for Easter
Description
This poem by Ed Rickard, set in a meter suggestive of a brass fanfare, is a summons to rejoice at Christ's victory over death.
Come thunderers of God; let's preach
a message plain.
By rot is myrrh undone;
By worm is aloes spoiled.
But death's unclean corruptive fingers
must refrain
To touch the Holy One,
Whom very hell must yield.
Come trumpeters of God; let's raise
a new-made song.
The tomb is black and deep,
With dead uncrowded still.
But hangs no fatal curse on Him who did
no wrong.
He is not held by sleep
Who fills the world and all.
Come warriors of God; let's sweep
through error’s field
And storm the mighty wall
Around his many lies.
Let’s swing the glinting sword that
shatters every shield
Defending his blared call
That Jesus did not rise.
Come couriers of God; let no man
rest untold,
For hearing stops and sense
Dissolves when life’s outpoured.
So challenge all still free from death’s
oppressive hold
To turn from ignorance
And view our living Lord.
a message plain.
By rot is myrrh undone;
By worm is aloes spoiled.
But death's unclean corruptive fingers
must refrain
To touch the Holy One,
Whom very hell must yield.
Come trumpeters of God; let's raise
a new-made song.
The tomb is black and deep,
With dead uncrowded still.
But hangs no fatal curse on Him who did
no wrong.
He is not held by sleep
Who fills the world and all.
Come warriors of God; let's sweep
through error’s field
And storm the mighty wall
Around his many lies.
Let’s swing the glinting sword that
shatters every shield
Defending his blared call
That Jesus did not rise.
Come couriers of God; let no man
rest untold,
For hearing stops and sense
Dissolves when life’s outpoured.
So challenge all still free from death’s
oppressive hold
To turn from ignorance
And view our living Lord.