Jean Tisserand

Jean Tisserand (d. 1494)

Jean Tisserand was a fifteenth-century Franciscan monk, hymn writer, and religious figure whose contribution to Christian worship is preserved primarily through the Easter hymn tradition of the Western Church. Though historical details about his life remain limited, his surviving work has made a lasting impact on Easter liturgy and congregational song.

He died in 1494 in Paris. Tisserand was a member of the Franciscan order, a movement within the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to poverty, preaching, and penitence. In keeping with this calling, he is also said to have founded an order for penitent women, reflecting his pastoral concern for repentance and spiritual renewal.

Tisserand is traditionally associated with the Latin Easter hymn “O filii et filiae” (“O Sons and Daughters”). This hymn is one of the most well-known post-medieval Easter songs in the Western liturgical tradition. It celebrates the resurrection of Christ and the joy of His disciples as they witnessed the risen Lord.

The hymn begins:

“O filii et filiae, Rex caelestis, Rex gloriae…”
(“O sons and daughters, the heavenly King, the King of glory…”)

In English hymnody, it is commonly known as “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing” or “Young Men and Maids, Rejoice and Sing.” It is especially associated with Easter celebrations, emphasizing resurrection joy, faith strengthened through testimony, and the victory of Christ over death.

Tisserand is also sometimes credited with composing or contributing to a liturgical service commemorating Franciscan martyrs in Morocco in 1220, reflecting the Franciscan tradition of honoring those who suffered for the faith.

Although little is known of his personal life, Jean Tisserand’s hymn has endured for centuries in Christian worship. His legacy lives on each Easter season, when congregations around the world sing of the risen Christ and the joy of salvation in Him.