He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:6
Words: Gerard Moultrie, Hymns and Lyrics (London: Joseph Masters, 1867), pages 114–15. The 1872 Hymnary, number 294, gives the hymn with a first line of Near the tomb where Christ hath been.
Music: Ellingham (Godfrey) Nathaniel S. Godfrey, 1881 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Godfrey (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
At the tomb where Christ hath been,
Weeping waits the Magdalene;
With the two disciples she
Wonders where the Lord can be.
Look they in: they see the bed
Where the Lord hath laid His head;
Where He slept so calm, so still,
Underneath His holy hill.
Stooping down they see no more
Than the clothes which wrapped Him o’er,
Clothes which bound His feet, His brow,
Death’s white vestments, useless now.
They depart: but love and faith
Stronger are than sight, than death;
At the tomb where Christ hath been
Watching waits the Magdalene.
He was here: then she will wait,
Watching early, watching late;
Where her Jesus last was seen
There will wait the Magdalene.
Look once more, O Mary! see,
Is it still the same to thee?
Clear the tears from off your sight—
Where was darkness, now is light!
Angel guards are sitting now
Clothed in raiment white as snow:
Shines their glory through the shade
Where the form of Christ was laid.
He is risen! do not fear:
Your dear Lord abides not here,
See the place (wipe tears away)
Where the sleeping Jesus lay.
Turns she round: she sees Him stand
In the garden close at hand:
Mary!
’Tis His accent now:
Master!
It is Thou, ’tis Thou!