65 (Index of Tunes, LV.)
65.
Tune.--"Jesus Christ, my sure defence."
Himmelan geht unsre Bahn
Schmolck, 1731
Heavenward doth our journey tend, Here on earth we are but strangers, Towards our Promised Land we wend, Through a wilderness of dangers; Here we roam, a pilgrim band, Yonder is our native land. | Heavenward stretch, my soul, thy wings, Thou canst claim a heavenly nature; Cleave not to these earthly things, Thou canst rest not in the creature. Every soul that God inspires, Back to Him, its Source, aspires. | Heavenward! doth His Spirit cry, Oft as in His word I hear Him; Pointing to the rest on high Where I shall be ever near Him. When His word fills all my thought, Oft to heaven my soul is caught. | Heavenward still I long to haste, When Thy supper, Lord, is given; Heavenly strength on earth I taste, Feeding on the Bread of Heaven; Such is e'en on earth our fare, Who Thy marriage feast will share. | Heavenward! To that blessed home Death at last will surely lead me; All my trials overcome, Christ with life and joy will feed me; Who Himself hath gone before That we too might heavenward soar. | Heavenward! This thall be my cry While a pilgrim here I wander, Passing earth's allurements by For the love of what is yonder; Heavenward all my being tends, Till in Heaven my journey ends. | |