Church Book ‎#578b

578b. Jerusalem, thou city fair and high

1 Jerusalem, thou city fair and high,
Would God I were in thee!
My longing heart fain, fain to thee would fly!
It will not stay with me;
Far over vale and mountain,
Far over field and plain,
It hastes to seek its Fountain
And quit this world of pain.

2 O happy day, and yet far happier hour,
When wilt thou come at last?
When fearless to my Father's love and power,
Whose promise standeth fast,
My soul I gladly render,
For surely will His hand
Lead her with guidance tender
To heaven her fatherland.

3 O Zoin, hail! Bright city, now unfold
The gates of grace to me!
How many a time I longed for thee of old,
Ere yet I was set free
From yon dark life of sadness,
Yon world of shadowy nought,
And God had given the gladness,
The heritage I sought.

4 O what the tribe, or what the glorious host,
Comes sweeping swiftly down?
The chosen ones on earth who wrought the most,
The Church's brightest crown,
Our Lord hath sent to meet me,
As in the far-off years,
Their words oft came to greet me
In yonder land of tears.

5 Innumerous choirs before the shining throne
Their joyful anthems raise,
Till heaven's glad halls are echoing with the tone
Of that great hymn of praise,
And all its host rejoices,
And all its blessed throng
Unite their myriad voices
In one eternal song.

Text Information

• First Line: Jerusalem, thou city fair and high
• German Title: Jerusalem, du hochgebuate Stadt
• Author: John Matthew Meyfart (1630)
• Translator: Miss Winkworth (1858)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: Death and Eternity: Heaven; Easter Season, Fourth Sunday; Twenty Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Tune Information

• Name: JERUSALEM, DU HOCHGEBAUTE STADT
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Composer from index: Jas. Pearce, M. B. 1872