CHRIST IS RISEN

"Christ is Risen" is a triumphant Easter anthem by the renowned Nigerian composer Jude Nnam. Written to capture the overwhelming joy of the Resurrection morning, the piece opens with a bright, declarative chorus that immediately sets a tone of victory: death has been defeated, and Christ is alive. It is a staple for Catholic choirs during the Easter season, perfectly suited for a rousing Recessional hymn that sends the congregation out in high spirits.

The verses take the choir through a brief, poignant journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. They recall the suffering of Jesus—the beating and the piercing of His side—before shifting to the quiet dawn of the first day of the week, when the women arrive at the empty tomb. The narrative beautifully captures Christ's gentle instruction to Mary Magdalene, turning sorrow into sudden, glorious hope.

In its final section, the song builds into a vibrant, polyphonic celebration. The voices weave together to taunt the grave, asking, "Death, oh where is thy strength? Oh where is thy sting?" As the sopranos soar with promises that Mary and the disciples will "cry no more," the music becomes a powerful, rhythmic declaration of faith. It is a piece that demands energy from the choir and leaves the faithful uplifted, fully embracing the Alleluia of Easter.