The strife is o’er, the battle done

The following English hymn is a translation of a Latin hymn which translation first appeared in print as No. 91 on page 82 of Hymns Fitted to the Order of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England. To which are added, Hymns for Certain Local Festivals. This book was first published in 1861, and its editor, Francis Pott, is also the translator of the hymn. Other English translations have been made, the first possibly being that by John Mason Neale in 1851.

The original author of the words is unknown. The hymn appeared without attribution in a Latin hymnal that was published in Germany in 1695. However, some hymnologists believe the hymn itself is much older. This hymn celebrates the victory won over death and hell by Christ’s resurrection.

[Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.]

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

1. The strife is o’er, the battle done!
The victory of life is won!
The song of triumph has begun!
Alleluia!
 
2. The pow’rs of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed!
Let shout of holy joy outburst!
Alleluia!
 
3. The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead;
All glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!
 
4. He closed the yawning gates of hell;
The bars from Heav’n’s high portals fell,
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell!
Alleluia!
 
5. Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
From death’s dread sting thy servants free,
That we may live and sing to thee!
Alleluia!
Amen.

Francis Pott was born in England in 1832. He studied at Brasenose College, Oxford. Pott earned a B.A. in 1854, and M.A. in 1857. He served as a curate and rector in the Church of England. Pott was editor of Hymns Fitted to the Order of Common Prayer, &c. and made a number of hymn translations, as well as writing original hymns. He died at Speldhurst, October 26, 1909, and is apparently buried at the St. Mary Church there.

The tune paired with “The strife is o’er” is Victory (sometimes called Palestrina), No. 114 in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). William Henry Monk (1823-1889) arranged the tune from choral music written by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594). The meter is 8.8.8.4. with introductory Alleluias. Some song books add three Alleluias as a conclusion to be sung after all the stanzas. The tune is presented in shape notes at No. 293 in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs by Melody Publications.

Monk was the English organist and church musician who served as musical editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern. He is possibly best known through his hymn Eventide. Hymns Ancient and Modern connects “The strife is o’er” to Psalm 98:1, “O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things…”