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He dies, the Heav'nly Lover dies,

Christ Dying, Rising, and Reigning.

Poet: Isaac Watts, 1709
Meter: Long Meter (8,8,8,8)
Location in The Sacred Harp
Stanza Denson Cooper
1
He dies, the Heav'nly Lover dies,
The Tidings strike a doleful Sound
On my poor Heart-strings: deep he lies
In the cold Caverns of the Ground.

2
Come Saints, and drop a Tear or two
On the dear Bosom of your God,
He shed a thousand Drops for you,
A thousand Drops of richer Blood.

3
Here's Love and Grief beyond degree,
The Lord of Glory dies for Men!
But lo, what sudden Joys I see!
Jesus the Dead revives again.

4
The rising God forsakes the Tomb,
Up to his Father's Court he flies;
Cherubic Legions guard him home,
And shout him welcome to the Skies.

5
Break off your Tears, ye Saints, and tell
How high our Great Deliverer reigns;
Sing how he spoil'd the Hosts of Hell,
And led the Monster Death in Chains.

6
Say, Live for ever wondrous King!
Born to Redeem, and strong to Save!
Then ask the Monster, Where's his Sting?
And Where's thy Victory, boasting Grave?

Rewritten variation of this hymn tune:
HE dies; the FRIEND of Sinners dies!, altered by Martin Madan in 1760.
Watts, Isaac. Horae Lyricae: Poems, Chiefly of the Lyric Kind. Third Edition. London: W. Wilkins, 1715.