There are three hymns specifically recommended for Easter Vigil in Catholic Worship Book II.
I’ve already blogged 341 “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” a nineteenth century translation of a fourth century Latin original.
As this is PD, the music below is pretty much what is in CWB II – same key and arrangement – just some minor grace notes added to the accompaniment..
I did a new backing for fun on BIAB.
342 Through the Red Sea Brought at Last
This is a text by Ronald Arbuthnot Knox a very interesting fellow. The words are still in copyright apparently, although he died in 1957 so it can’t be long. It is set to the tune STRAF MICH NICHT, which is seventeenth century. The text is at Hymnary. It has many alleluias and an interesting set of words – “By his tomb, Christ makes room” – “Then, deceitful world adieu” – as I say, he has a particular turn of phrase, but then he did write detective fiction.
343 We Know that Christ is Raised and Dies No More
While another traditionally styled hymn this is a corker of a tune – ENGELBERG by Charles Villiers Stanford. The text is by John Brownlow Geyer and still in copyright. The text is at Hymnary.
Without the full blast of organ and choir I can’t see these being particularly joyful for the Vigil myself. I think most parishes with more modest resources will look elsewhere or stick to what they know.