The Unseen City

1 I think of a city I have not seen
Except in my hours of dreaming;
Where the feet of mortals have never been
To darken its soft, soft gleaming:
A glimmer of pearl, and a glint of gold,
And a breath from the souls of roses;
And glory and beauty all untold,
Steal over my calm reposes.

Refrain:
As I dream
As I dream of a city I have not seen,
As I dream
As I dream
Of a city I have not seen.

2 I think of that city, for oh, how oft
My heart has been wrung at parting;
With friends all pale who with footfall soft
To its airy heights were starting:
I see them again in their raiment white,
In the blue, blue distance dwelling;
And I hear their praises in calm delight,
Come down to the breezes swelling. [Refrain]

3 That beautiful city is home to me,
My lov'd ones are going thither,
And they who already have cross'd the sea
Are calling to me, "Come hither;"
The tender eyes that I cherished here,
From the golden heights behold me;
And their songs entrance my raptured ear
When the wings of slumber fold me. [Refrain]

Source: The Christian Hymnary. Bks. 1-4 #967