Hail the day that saw him rise,

Ravished from his people’s eyes;

Christ, awhile to mortals given,

Re-ascends his native heaven.

There the glorious triumph waits—

“Lift your heads, you heavenly gates;

Wide unfold the radiant scene,

Take the King of glory in.”

2 He, whom highest heaven receives,

Ever loves the friends he leaves;

Though returning to his throne,

Still he calls his saints his own;

Still for us he intercedes,

Prevalent his death he pleads;

Near himself prepares a place,

Harbinger of human race.

3 Taken from our eyes to-day,

Master, hear us when we pray;

See thy needy servants, see,

Ever gazing up to thee:

Grant, though parted from our sight,

Far above yon azure hight,

Grant our hearts may thither rise,

Follow thee beyond the skies.

4 Ever upward let us move,

Wafted on the wings of love;

Looking when the Lord shall come,

Longing, reaching after home;

There for ever to remain,

Partners of thy endless reign;

There thy face unclouded see,

Find our heaven of heavens in thee.