O you immortal throng

Of angels round the throne,

Join with our feeble song

To make the Saviour known:

On earth you knew his wondrous grace:

In heaven you view his beauteous face.

2 You saw the heavenly child

In human flesh arrayed,

All innocent and mild,

While in a manger laid;

And praise to God, and peace on earth,

Proclaimed aloud for such a birth.

3 You in the wilderness

Beheld the tempter spoiled,

Well known in every dress,

In every combat foiled:

And joyed to crown the Victor’s head,

Before his frown when Satan fled.

4 Around the bloody tree

You pressed with strong desire,

That wondrous sight to see—

The Lord of life expire!

And could your eyes have known a tear,

In sad surprise had dropped it there.

5 Around his sacred tomb

A willing watch you keep,

Till the blest moment come

To rouse him from his sleep:

Then rolled the stone, and all adored

With joy unknown, our rising Lord.

6 When, all arrayed in light,

The shining Conqueror rode,

You hailed his rapturous flight

Up to the throne of God;

Your golden wings you waved around,

And struck your strings of sweetest sound.

7 The warbling notes pursue,

And louder anthems raise,

While mortals sing with you

Their own Redeemer’s praise.

And you, my heart, with equal flame,

Perform your part with joy the same.