The earth, once bearing life
Turned to swallow man in death.
In disdain she was forced to take in Abel's body;
Centuries of violence left her bleeding red;
Unable to put forth life as in her youth.
But a second Abel she took
And found him too Just to hold
Three days she held, but released
Once more the earth gave life
We now, dust and dirt: earth.
Take in the body of that man:
The second Abel who bestows life.
And we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling down death by death
And in the tombs bestowing life
