Christ Arose! Low in the Grave He Lay

“Christ Arose,” often remembered by the triumphant refrain “Up from the grave He arose,” was written and composed by Robert Lowry in 1874 and first published the following year in Brightest and Best. The hymn opens in quiet solemnity, picturing Christ lying in the tomb, but it does not remain there. With each stanza, the tension builds until it bursts forth in a bold declaration of victory over sin, death, and the grave. Lowry’s pairing of strong, confident lyrics with a rising, jubilant melody reflects the very message of Easter morning.

Robert Lowry, born in Philadelphia in 1826, showed a love for music from childhood, often entertaining himself with the instruments he owned. At seventeen, he joined the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, where he became active in Sunday school work as both a teacher and chorister. Though he would become widely known for his hymns, preaching was his primary calling. He was recognized as an able administrator, a faithful pastor, and a gifted Bible student. Those who heard him speak remembered his vivid imagination and his ability to paint gospel truths in ways that stirred both mind and heart.

For Lowry, music was not his profession but a joyful companion to his ministry. While he devoted his life to preaching Christ, hymn writing became a natural outflow of his study and devotion. “Christ Arose” stands as one of his most enduring contributions, sung across generations and translated into many languages. Its message is simple yet thunderous: the grave could not hold the Savior. In a world still marked by sorrow and death, the hymn calls believers to stand firmly on the unshakable hope of the Resurrection.

Watch and listen to the amazing performances of this hymn below!