Lo! God to heaven ascendeth!

Throughout its regions vast,

With shouts triumphant blendeth

The trumpet’s thrilling blast:

Sing praise to Christ the Lord,

Sing praise with exultation!

King of each heathen nation!

The God of Hosts adored!

With joy is heaven resounding,

Christ’s glad return to see;

Behold the saints surrounding

The Lord who set them free:

Bright myriads thronging come;

The cherub-band rejoices,

And loud seraphic voices

Welcome Messiah home.

No more the way is hidden,

Since Christ our Head arose:

No more to man forbidden

The road to heaven that goes.

Our Lord is gone before,

Yet here He will not leave us,

But soon in heaven receive us;

He opens wide the door.

Christ is our place preparing,

To heaven we too shall rise,

And, joys angelic sharing,

Be where our treasure lies:

There may each heart be found!

Where Jesus Christ has entered,

There let our hopes be centred,

Our course still heavenward bound!

May we, His servants, thither

In heart and mind ascend,

And let us sing together—

We seek Thee, Christ our Friend,

Thee, God’s Anointed Son,

Our Life, and Way to Heaven,

To Whom all power is given,

Our Joy, and Hope, and Crown.

When, on our vision dawning,

Will break the wished-for hour

Of that all glorious Morning,

When Christ shall come with power?

O come, thou welcome Day!

When we, our Saviour meeting,

His second Advent greeting,

Shall hail the Heaven-sent Ray.