Earth has a joy unknown in heaven—

The new-born joy of sins forgiven!

Tears of such pure and deep delight,

O angels! never dimmed your sight.

2 You saw of old on chaos rise

The beauteous pillars of the skies;

You know where morn exulting springs,

And evening folds her drooping wings.

3 Bright heralds of th’ Eternal Will,

Abroad his errands you fulfill;

Or, throned in floods of beamy day,

Symphonies in his presence play.

4 Loud is the song—the heavenly plain

Is shaken with the choral strain;

And dying echoes, floating far,

Draw music from each chiming star.

5 But I amid your choirs shall shine,

And all your knowledge shall be mine;

You on your harps must lean to hear

A secret chord that mine shall bear.