Bright the cloud and bright the glory

1 Bright the cloud and bright the glory,
brighter far than mere sun's rays,
opening up a glimpse of heaven
to disciples' awestruck gaze:
power past their comprehension,
splendour too profound for praise.
All was changed, all was changed;
and they would never be the same.

2 Bright the cloud but dark the glory
wrought by human enterprise,
opening wide with awful terror
stark new worlds before our eyes:
power grasped but far from mastered,
knowledge keen but not yet wise.
All has changed, all has changed,
and we shall never be the same.

3 From the cloud and from the glory
human need brought Jesus down:
down to death, then from death rising
to receive a victor's crown.
Lead us, Christ, to prize compassion
more than might, wealth, or renown.
Help us change, help us change,
that we may never be the same.