Full Lyrics
WESLEY'S VERSION OF 1746
Hail the day that sees him rise,
Ravished from our wishful eyes!
Christ, a while to mortals given,
Reascends his native heaven.
There the pompous triumph waits:
Lift your heads, eternal gates!
Wide unfold the radiant scene,
Take the King of Glory in.
Circled round with angelpow’rs,
Their triumphant Lord and ours,
Conqueror o’er death, hell, and sin,
Take the King of Glory in.
Him though highest heaven receives,
Still he loves the earth he leaves;
Though returning to his throne,
Still he calls mankind his own.
See, he lifts his hands above!
See, he shows the prints of love!
Hark, his gracious lips bestow,
Blessings on his church below!
Still for us he intercedes,
Prevalent his death he pleads;
Next himself prepares our place,
Harbinger of human race.
Master (will we ever say)
Taken from our head today,
See, thy faithful servants see,
Ever gazing up to thee!
Grant, though parted from our sight,
High above yon azure height,
Grant our hearts may thither rise,
Following thee beyond the skies.
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 heaven of heavens in thee.
