Now the Green Blade Riseth
“Now the Green Blade Riseth” is a beautiful Easter carol written by James Macleod Carol Crum (1872–1958). Crum was an Anglican clergyman, scholar, poet, and pastor. He wrote a number of hymns, but this is the one for which he is best known.
First published in 1928, its haunting melody (the 15th century French carol, Noel Nouvelet) combines with powerful and persuasive imagery rooted in scripture. “Truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24).
To all appearances, the seed that is buried is dead. And yet, come spring, as if miraculously, the green blade appears, and new life begins. Christ was dead, he was buried, and on the third day he rose again.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain, thy touch can call us back to life again; fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been: Love is come again like wheat that spring-eth green.
The coronavirus pandemic and the inequities it has revealed have left many a heart wintry, grieving, and in pain. The hope of the gospel is that God in Christ calls us back to life again.
Here’s a version of “Now the Green Blade Riseth” that I recorded with Mark McIntrye at University Baptist Church, College Park, Maryland.
