Jerusalem
thou city fair and high
Would God I were in thee!
My longing heart fain
fain to thee would fly
It will not stay with me;
Far over vale and mountain
Far over field and plain
It hastes to seek its fountain
And quit this world of pain.
Oh happy day
and yet far happier hour
When wilt thou come at last?
When fearless to my Father’s love and power
Whose promise standeth fast
My soul I gladly render
For surely will His hand
Lead her with guidance tender
To Heav’n
her fatherland.
A moment’s space
and gently
wondrously
Released from earthly ties
The fiery chariot bears her up to thee
Through all these lower skies
To yonder shining regions
While down to meet her come
The blessèd angel legions
And bid her welcome home.
Oh hail thou glorious city! Now unfold
The gates of grace to me!
How many a time I longed for thee of old
Ere yet I was set free
From yon dark life of sadness
Yon world of shadowy nought
And God had giv’n the gladness
The heritage I sought.
Oh what the nation
what the glorious host
Comes sweeping swiftly down?
The chosen ones on earth who wrought the most
The Church’s brightest crown
Our Lord hath sent to meet me
As in the far-off years
Their words oft came to greet me
In yonder land of tears.
The patriarchs’ and prophets’ noble train
With all Christ’s followers true
Who bore the cross
and could the worst disdain
That tyrants dared to do
I see them shine for ever
All glorious as the sun
’Mid light that fadeth never
Their perfect freedom won.
And when within that lovely paradise
At last I safely dwell
From out my blissful soul what songs shall rise
What joy my lips shall tell
While holy saints are singing
Hosannas o’er and o’er
Pure hallelujahs ringing
Around me evermore.
Innumerous choirs before the shining throne
Their joyful anthems raise
Till Heav’n’s glad halls are echoing with the tone
Of that great hymn of praise
And all its host rejoices
And all its blessèd throng
Unite their myriad voices
In one eternal song!
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