CW 456/457 - O Sons and Daughters of the King
“O Sons and Daughters of the King” is a Latin poem from the 15th century. It was written in the style of a folk carol with refrain. It was designated to be sung for the “Salut” (solemn salutation of the Blessed Sacrament) on the evening of Easter Day. The first translation of this hymn appeared in London in 1851.
The hymn is marvelous Easter music that captures the exuberance and festivity of the events of Easter.
The hymn is essentially a retelling of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28 and John 20. The hymn begins at the tomb with the women on Easter morning. The angels curb the women’s fears with the announcement that Jesus is alive. Then the hymn continues in the room Easter evening as Jesus appears to the disciples and then a week later when he appears again to the disciples, but this time Thomas is with them.
A beautiful and poignant way to reflect upon this hymn is to read the Scripture verses from the Gospels of Matthew and John and then sing the corresponding hymn verses.
Verse one: O sons and daughters of the King, Whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing, today the grave has lost its sting! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
St. Matthew records the resurrection of Jesus Christ Easter morning in Matthew 28:1-7. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and going to the tomb, he rolled away the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards were so terrified of him that they shook and became like dead men.
Verse two: That Easter morn, at break of day, the faithful women went their way to seek the tomb where Jesus lay. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead! And look, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him.’ See, I have told you!”
Verse three: An angel bade their sorrow flee, for thus he spoke unto the three, “Your Lord will go to Galilee.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
St. John records the appearance of Jesus Christ Easter evening in John 31:19-31. On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Verse four: That night th’ apostles met in fear; among them came their Lord most dear. And said, “My peace be with you here.” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Verse five: When Thomas afterwards had heard that Jesus had fulfilled his word, he doubted if it was the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
After eight days, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe.”
Verse six: “Thomas, behold my side,” said he, “my hands, my feet, my body see; and doubt not, but believe in me.” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Verse seven: No longer Thomas then denied; he saw the feet, the hands, the side; “You are my Lord and God,” he cried. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Verse eight: Blessed are they that have not seen and yet whose faith has constant been; in life eternal they shall reign. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Verse nine: On this most holy day of days to God your hearts and voices raise in laud and jubilee and praise. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!