Conqueror of Death

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15:55 1 Dread conqueror! Destroyer of all, Thou---the king who conquers every king Thou---restrained by no wall Thee a captive none shall bring 2 Swords 'gainst thine armor are shattered Against thee can none prevail At thy word are armies scattered and all the emperor's might shall fail. 3 Before thee, Death, are all things laid low. All that breathe, birds and beasts, and men Become a feast for worm, raven, and crow. Of all time, since Adam's fall, this hath been. 4 Of all that is in earth, thou art the undisputed ruler, Ages change thee not, nor years hold sway. To thy dominion there can be no challenger None can escape from thee, though vainly seek a way. 5 Frail children of men, all before thee fall Rosy-cheeked maidens and youths carefree On emperor and slave descends the pall Dread lord, who fells men as an axeman fells the tree! 6 O Death, long hast thou sat upon thy dark throne, Thine armies bringing countless captives to thee, While thy thanes, pale phantoms, go forth alone To take of earth all that's best of light and beauty. 7 But look, O Death, from thy darkened hall Look and behold, thy vanquisher is come It is Him who comes to break thy thrall He is of all the hopes of men the sum. 8 Mighty God in the form of man, He is come, To be by friends betrayed, deliver'd to die, crucified for the sins of man, which first bid thee welcome. Upon Calvary, the world's Savior bled and died. 9 Horrid thy triumph, Death The Savior is laid lifeless in the tomb But in the garden, on the morn of the Sabbath Thy chains are broken, spoken is thy doom 10 Though soldiers stood guard before All thine armies could not hold Him Though a stone sealed the door Broken is thy power, so vast, fell, and grim 11 For the stone is rolled away, The shroud is forsaken, the tomb is empty For all thy might could not keep Him prey Who is come to break thy curse, and set men free. 12 Thou art cast from thy throne, Death For there is a Conqueror greater than thee, Whom we shall see, when ceases our breath For thy kingdom is consumed in the Savior's victory.