Christ Is Risen

Jude Nnam’s "Christ Is Risen" bursts with the pure joy of Easter morning. It is a lively, triumphant piece that Nigerian Catholic choirs often bring out when the long fast of Lent finally breaks. The melody carries a bright, rhythmic energy, announcing the Resurrection with an infectious gladness that gets the whole congregation lifting their voices.

The song walks us through the entire Paschal mystery. The verses recall the dark moments of the Passion—the beating, the piercing of His side, and the soldiers thinking they had seen the end of the Lord. But the music quickly shifts to the dawn of the third day, following the women to the empty tomb and echoing Christ's words to Mary Magdalene. It is a perfect fit for Easter Sunday Mass, especially during the Offertory or as a joyful Recessional.

What makes this piece so moving is its final, defiant celebration. The choir sings directly to death, asking "where is thy sting?" and comforting the faithful with the promise that Mary, the disciples, and all believers will "weep no more." It transforms the sorrow of the cross into a resounding "Alleluia," leaving everyone in the pews with a renewed sense of hope and victory.