A hymn for the vigil of Easter, recalling Christ’s descent into the abode of the dead and his triumphant return.
This hymn, a particular favourite of St Bede, was sung on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Day. It speaks of the victory of Christ over the dark angels, of the continuing power of the sign of the cross, marked in oil on a Christian’s forehead at baptism, and of the descent of Christ into hell. The author, who is unknown, lived in the fifth or sixth century.