Easter is one of the most meaningful celebrations in the Christian calendar, rooted in the themes of love, sacrifice, and hope that resonate with millions of people around the world. 1 In different cultures, Easter celebrations are often filled with Scripture recitation and communal worship where Christians gather to express their faith and gratitude through words and songs.
In this article, let's discover different types of Easter music that are emotionally resonant, musically uplifting, and widely used in church liturgy and cultural contexts.
| Song Title | Composer/Author | Type | Easter Connection and Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messiah | George Frideric Handel | Classical Oratorio | Written for Easter; 53 songs in 3 parts on Christ's birth, death/resurrection, glorification; UK favorite. |
| St Matthew Passion | Johann Sebastian Bach | Classical Oratorio | Depicts Christ's last days/crucifixion per Matthew Gospel; premiered Good Friday 1727; reflective arias & choir. |
| Five Mystical Songs | Ralph Vaughan Williams | Classical Songs | Based on George Herbert's Easter poem; focuses on resurrection wonder; Anglican choral tradition. |
| Because He Lives | Bill & Gloria Gaither | Contemporary Worship | 1971 hymn; simple melody affirming resurrection faith; uplifting chorus. |
| Glorious Day | Casting Crowns | Contemporary Worship | Upbeat celebration of resurrection's personal victory; new life/hope theme. |
| Living Hope | Phil Wickham | Contemporary Worship | Modern anthem on Christ's sacrifice/resurrection as living hope source. |
| Up from the Grave He Arose | Robert Lowry | Traditional Hymn | 1874 public domain; resurrection-focused; triumphant chorus contrast. |
| Thine Be The Glory | Edmond L. Budry (trans. Richard Birch Hoyle) | Traditional Hymn | 1884 French origin, UK staple; Handel's "See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes" tune; royal services. |
| Christ the Lord is Risen Today | Charles Wesley | Traditional Hymn | Methodist classic; jubilant tune with "Alleluia" refrain; easy congregational singing. |
🎹 Classical Masterpieces Celebrating Easter
First, let's start with these classical masterpieces recommendations that are traditionally associated with Easter.
⛪George Frideric Handel's Messiah
Even though this classical piece is also widely performed during Christmas in the UK, Handel wrote this piece with the Easter celebration in mind.
It consists of 53 songs and is divided into three parts of the following themes:
- Part 1: The birth of Jesus Christ as God's redemption plan
- Part 2: The death and resurrection of Christ
- Part 3: The glorification of Christ upon resurrection
⛪Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion
Classical music fans would love this monumental orchestra piece by Bach. It serves as a vivid depiction of the last days of Christ leading up to His crucifixion, according to the gospel of Matthew.
St Matthew's Passion was first performed on Good Friday, April 11, 1727, at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
St Matthew's Passion is usually performed during Good Fridays with reflective arias of the choir, a narrator alongside the orchestra ensemble. The Bible verses embedded in this oratorio served as a profound theological reflection for performers and audiences alike.
⛪Ralph Vaughan Williams's Five Mystical Songs
If you are looking for a classical piece with English literary influences, you should certainly listen to or watch this performance during Easter. Williams composed this piece based on George Herbert's joyful 17th-century poem Easter.
The first and second movements specifically focused on the reflection and wonder of the Resurrection, with clear, lyrical verses that are deeply rooted in Anglican church tradition based on the poetry by George Hubert. Compared to oratorios, it is shorter and has a good balance of spirituality and musical expressiveness of the UK choral music traditions.
🎵 Contemporary Worship Songs for Easter Celebrations
Next, let’s take a look at some well-known contemporary hymns and worship songs that have encouraged generations of Christians by celebrating the significance of the Resurrection.
✝️ Because He Lives
Released in 1971 by the husband-and-wife duo Bill and Gloria Gaither, Because He Lives is a natural hymn choice for Easter celebrations. It has a simple melody and memorable lyrics, especially an uplifting chorus that affirms faith in the resurrection.
✝️ Glorious Day
This is the song to sing and listen to if you are looking for a more upbeat, celebratory track that portrays resurrection as something glorious and personal we can also experience.
Christ's triumph over the grave gave us the grace to also step into our own glorious day, where we can have a new life, new hope, and new joy in Him.
✝️Living Hope
This is considered one of the contemporary Easter anthems sung by churches today. The lyrics not only point believers to Jesus as the source of their living hope, but also pause and reflect on the magnitude of His sacrifice on the cross.
📖 Traditional Easter Hymns Across Cultures
Moving on, let's explore these traditional Easter hymns that have left a great legacy across generations and cultures through their deep theological and emotional resonance.
🙏Up from the Grave He Arose
Written in 1874 by Robert Lowry, a Baptist pastor in the United States of America, this public domain hymn is a traditional Easter staple that is frequently sung across denominations, cultures, and countries.
This hymn stands out for these reasons:
- Resurrection-focused verses across the stanzas
- A contrast in emotional impact from the verse to the chorus, which evokes a triumphant celebration of Christ's resurrection from the grave.
🙏Thine Be The Glory
Next, Thine Be The Glory is also another popular Easter hymn in the UK. Written by Swiss Protestant minister Edmond L. Budry in 1884, this hymn was originally in French before it was translated to English by Richard Birch Hoyle in 1923.
This hymn stands out for these reasons:
- Set to the tune of Handel's melodic composition: “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes.”
- Often used in Easter services involving the British Royal Family
🙏Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Of course, we cannot miss out on one of the most enduring Easter hymns in the UK of all time. Written by Charles Wesley during the Methodist movement, the lyrics perfectly align with Easter’s theological focus.
The hyms stands out for these reasons:
- Lively, ascending tune paired with traditional music instruments for a jubilant congregational singing atmosphere
- Simple repetitive “Alleluia” lyrics, which are easy to follow for all ages (including children)
🎉The Role of Music in Easter Celebrations
Easter celebrations are never complete without music — whether through congregational hymns, praise songs, or classical pieces played on the piano or organ.
Music is a fair and glorious gift of God. I am strongly persuaded that after theology, there is no art which can be placed on the level with music.
Martin Luther, German priest and theologian
Here are three reasons why music is so essential during the Easter celebration.
🌟 Enhancing Worship Services
First and foremost, music helps believers to express their joy and gratitude as they celebrate the victory and resurrection of Christ.
Whether it's instrumental hymns or upbeat praise songs, they can create an atmosphere of reverence and reflection during the worship service — preparing the congregation's hearts emotionally and spiritually for the Holy Communion and sermon during the Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
🌟 Community Engagement
Next, Easter music fosters a sense of unity and shared faith among congregants. Church members from the local parish or choir would come together to rehearse for months in preparation for Easter performances, whether it's an acapella or a group performance.
Additionally, Easter music extends to the public and communal area where everyone can participate freely during the worship, regardless of their nationality and home church, as long as they know the songs (be it traditional hymns or contemporary worship songs) and share the same beliefs. For instance, one could visit a church in a different city during Easter and still engage meaningfully with the local community during worship.
🌟 Cultural Significance
In terms of culture, music acts as both a symbol of unity and diversity for Easter observances. In Western cultures like the UK, it's common to feature hymns, choirs, and classical works performed on organs or piano — an emphasis on Western church traditions of filling the churches with grand music.
On the other hand, Rara music is performed in processions around Easter week in Haiti, where it centres on drums, bamboo trumpets, and maracas — a reflection and a connection of Afro-inspired music tied to celebration and community identity.
Meanwhile, you might want to learn how to plan an Easter egg hunt event.
🎧 Creating Your Own Easter Playlist(s)
If you are thinking of creating your own Easter playlist, here are some tips to consider:
🎶Tip 1: Ensure a diverse selection
When it comes to song diversity, there are a few ways to look at it:
🎶Tip 2: Reflects your personal faith journey
While Easter celebrations are unique, some become especially memorable when they are connected to important and personal moments in your faith journey. 3
For instance, you might want to include a traditional hymn introduced by your parents or grandparents when they first brought you to church as a child, or a contemporary Easter song that reignited your faith and hope later in life, perhaps during a time of personal challenge.
Additionally, including songs whose lyrics reinforce your beliefs and highlight the theological significance of Christ’s death and resurrection can make your Easter playlist deeply personal.
Song example: In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) is a contemporary Christian hymn written by UK songwriters, Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, which reflects on the reason of Good Friday and the significance of celebrating the Lord Jesus's victory when He rose again on Easter. 4
Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again!
In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found), Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, 2001
🎶Tip 3: Consider the audience and setting
With modern technology, it's easy to make multiple Easter playlists for different audiences. If you are curating a playlist to share with extended families with older family members, it's best to include more familiar traditional hymns.
On the other hand, if you are meeting up with your youth group or young adults in church for an Easter gathering, you can also have a more modern Easter song selection from contemporary Christian artists like Phil Wickham, Chris Tomlin, or Elevation Worship.
🧒 Teaching Easter Hymns/ Songs to Children
While Easter celebration for kids is often marked with games and activities, Easter music should be made accessible to children as early as possible, whether it's through school or Sunday School programmes at church. It's important to break down the lyrics of the hymns or songs into simple, short stanzas while teaching them.
Start with easier contemporary Easter songs like Because He Lives and Living Hope as they have simpler lyrics and a more memorable chorus melody. Apart from teaching them the meaning of the lyrics and applying repetition, you can teach them movements and gestures to remember the songs better.
We hope this article has encouraged you to embrace the true meaning of Easter through the beauty of music and songs. If you want to learn more about Easter songs, games for kids, or how to be more effective in guiding children about this topic, you can connect with an experienced tutor on Superprof.
References
- Romans 5:8 NIV - - Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Www.biblegateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205%3A8&version=NIV
- Petre-Baumer, C. (2021, May 10). Handel’s Messiah: Fact or Fiction? Handel and Haydn Society. https://handelandhaydn.org/handels-messiah-fact-or-fiction/
- 30 Easter songs that capture what the holiday is all about. (2024, January 31). TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/life/holidays/easter-songs-rcna70346
- In Christ alone. (n.d.). Stuart Townend. https://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/in-christ-alone
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