Christ Arose -Robert Lowry

Robert Lowry wrote both the words and the music for this song that dramatically expresses Christ’s resurrection. He was born in 1826 in Philadelphia and became a Christian as a teenager, where he taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. Robert studied theology at the University of Lewisburg, which is now Bucknell University. He graduated with highest honors in 1854 and taught literature at the university from 1869 to 1875. He became a Baptist preacher and pastored churches in Pennsylvania, New York City, and served his last pastorate in New Jersey, where he remained until his death in 1899.

Robert was a Biblical scholar and an effective preacher. He possessed an unusual ability to paint vivid pictures with words, evident in both his preaching and hymn writing. Although he considered music a side interest, he still produced favorites such as “Shall We Gather at the River,” “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus,” and the refrain to “We’re Marching to Zion.” He also composed many tunes for other well-known hymn writers. In 1868, Lowry became music editor for the Biglow and Main Publishing Company in New York. He published more than twenty Sunday school songbooks. His most popular collection, Pure Gold, sold more than one million copies.

The hymn “Christ Arose” is sometimes called “Low in the Grave He Lay.” It was written in 1874 when he was teaching at the university and pastoring at First Baptist Church in Lewisburg. During his devotions one evening, Lowry was inspired by the events of Christ’s resurrection as recorded in the twenty-fourth chapter of Luke, especially the words spoken by the angels, “He is not here, but is risen.” He went to the little organ in their home and wrote the words and music proclaiming Christ’s victory over death. The song was published one year later in the collection Brightest and Best. Ira Sankey introduced the song in the Moody-Sankey revivals, where it gained much popularity. It has since become a favorite song to sing, celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

“Christ Arose” was written with a dramatic musical and textual contrast between the verses and refrain. The song is different from most in that the refrain is more than twice as long as each verse. The harmony and slow-moving melody of the three verses express the sadness and sorrow of Christ’s death. In sharp contrast, the refrain suddenly bursts forth into joy like a trumpet fanfare with the words, “Up from the grave he arose.” The melody rises in pitch, and the refrain ends with the triumphant, “Hallelujah! Christ arose.”

Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the basis for the believer’s hope. This song offers an excellent way to rejoice in that hope because “Christ Arose.” Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

1. Low in the grave he lay— Jesus, my Saviour;
Waiting the coming day— Jesus my Lord.

Refrain:

Up from the grave he arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives forever with his saints to reign;
He arose, he arose, Hallelujah! Christ arose.

2. Vainly they watch his bed— Jesus my Saviour;
Vainly they seal the dead— Jesus, my Lord.

3. Death cannot keep its prey— Jesus, my Saviour;
He tore the bars away— Jesus, my Lord.

Melody Publications’ focus is to reawaken the melody of truth in believers' hearts and minds at home and abroad. Our prayer is that our work would aid churches and families as they sing "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs" in praise and worship to our God.