Come back, come back again

1 Welcome, thou sovereign King of grace,
We long, we long to see thy face;
Our hearts are weary of delay,
When, when shall come the promised day?
Come, make the cloud that bore thee hence
Thy chariot back for our defense;
We own Thy sovereign right to reign--
Come back, come back to earth again.

2 Rulers and people call thy name,
But seek instead for earthly fame,
And justice holds uneven hand--
Thy glory fills not all the land.
Thy throne long vacant here below
Needs thee, as do thy children, too;
Return, Thy right and rule maintain,
Come back, come back to earth again.

3 Thy heralds now in every land,
Proclaim thy kingdom near at hand;
Thy bride has long her vigil kept,
In weariness thine absence wept
How long, how long must she still wait
Thy coming at the eastern gate?
She still her would-be lovers spurn,
And waits in hope for Thy return.

4 Delay not more, we longing cry,
Come back and let us see thee nigh;
Come, and restore our dead who sleep;
Come dry the tears of those who weep;
Answer our prayer, "Thy kingdom come,
Thy will again on earth be done;"
Thy bride still gives her heart's refrain--
Come back, come back to earth again.

Source: The Golden Sheaf: a collection of choice hymns and songs especially designed for Sunday schools, loyal worker's meetings, prayer and social services (Enl. ed.) #156

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #9089