The battle against the black dragon is done,
Our champion, Christ, has confounded his force:
The gates of hell are broken with a crack,
The triumphant sign of the cross is raised.
The devils shriek with hideous voice,
The souls are reclaimed and can go to bliss,
Christ with his blood our indentures does endorse.
SURREXIT DOMINUS DE SEPULCHRO.
The deadly dragon Satan is beaten,
The cruel serpent with the mortal sting,
The old sharp tiger with his teeth ajar
Which has lain in wait for us so long
Hoping to grip us in his strong claws:
The merciful Lord willed that it not be so.
He made him fall short of his prey,
SURREXIT DOMINUS DE SEPULCHRO.
He who for our sake endured being slain
And like a lamb in sacrifice was prepared
Is risen up again like a lion
And, like a giant, stretches himself on the height;
The Dawn is breaking, radiant and bright,
Aloft is gone the glorious Sun,
The blissful day comes forth from (realms of) night,
SURREXIT DOMINUS DE SEPULCHRO.
The great victor has risen again on high
Who in our quarrel (on our behalf) was wounded to the death;
The sun that grew all pale now shines bright,
And darkness clears up, our faith is now re-established;
The signal-bell of mercy resounds from Heaven,
The Christians are delivered from their woe,
The Jews and their error are brought to confusion,
SURREXIT DOMINUS DE SEPULCHRO.
The foe is chased, the battle is ceased,
The prison broken, the jailors fled and banished;
The war is gone, the peace is confirmed,
The fetters unlocked and the dungeon emptied,
The ransom paid, the prisoners delivered,
The field is won, the foe is overcome,
Despoiled of the treasure that he guarded:
SURREXIT DOMINUS DE SEPULCHRO.
