Christ lag in Todesbanden
"Christ lag in Todesbanden" is an Easter hymn by Martin Luther. Its melody is by Luther and Johann Walter. Both the text and the melody were based on earlier examples. It was published in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridion and in Walter's choral hymnal Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn. Various composers, including Pachelbel, Bach and Telemann, have used the hymn in their compositions.
"Christ lag ynn todes bande" in Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn of 1524
Comparison of Victimae paschali laudes, "Christ ist erstanden" and "Christ lag in Todesbanden"
Image: Enchiridion geistlicher Gesänge 32
Image: Enchiridion geistlicher Gesänge 33
The Erfurt Enchiridion is the second Lutheran hymnal. It appeared in 1524 in Erfurt in two competing editions. One of them contains 26 songs, the other 25, 18 of them by Martin Luther, others by Elisabeth Cruciger, Erhard Hegenwald, Justus Jonas and Paul Speratus. While the songs of the Enchiridion could be used in churches, they were intended primarily for singing elsewhere, such as at home, at court, and in guild meetings.
Title page of the Loersfeld edition
The song "Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod überwand" (Jesus Christ, our saviour, who overcame death) by Martin Luther, titled "Ein Lobgesang auf dem Osterfest" (A song of praise on the Easter feast)
