1 Hail the day that sees him rise,
Ravish'd from our wishful eyes!
Christ a while to mortals giv'n,
Reascends his native heav'n:
There the pompous triumph waits,
Lift your heads, eternal gates!
Wide unfold the radiant scene,
Take the King of glory in!

2 Him tho' highest heaven receives,
Still he loves the earth he leaves;
Tho' returning to his throne,
Still he calls mankind his own:
Still for us he intercedes,
Prevalent his death he pleads;
Next himself prepares our place,
Harbinger of human race.

3 Master (may we ever say)
Taken from our head to day;
See thy faithful servants, see,
Ever gazing up to thee!
Grant, tho' parted from our sight,
High above yon azure height:
Grant our souls may thither rise,
Foll'wing thee beyond the skies.

4 Ever upward let us move,
Wafted on the wings of love;
Looking when our Lord shall come,
Longing, gasping after home,
There we shall with thee remain,
Partners of thine endless reign;
There thy face unclouded see,
Find our heav'n of heav'n in thee.