We doubted our God in secret,
We scoffed in the market-place,
We held our hearts from His keeping,
We held our eyes from His face;
We looked to the ways of our fathers,
Denying where they denied,
And we said as He passed, " He is stilled at last,
And a man is crucified. "

But now I give you certain news
To bid a world rejoice:
Ye may crush Truth to silence,
Ye may cry above his voice,
Ye may close your ears before Him,
Lest ye tremble at the word,
But late or soon, by night or noon,
The living truth is heard.

We buried our God in darkness,
In secret and all affright;
We crept on a path of silence,
Fearful things in the night;
We buried our God in terror,
After the fashion of men;
As we said each one, " The deed is done,
And the grave is closed again. "

But now I give you certain news
To spread by land and sea:
Ye may scourge Truth naked,
Ye may nail him to the tree,
Ye may roll the stone above Him,
And seal it priestly-wise,
But against the morn, unmaimed, new-born,
The living Truth shall rise!