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Elysian 139

Tune: Southern Harmony, 1835
Alto: Wilson Marion Cooper, 1902
Lyrics: Richard Kemperfelt, 1777
Meter: Particular Meter: 7,6,7,6,7,7,7,7
Burst, ye em’rald gates, and bring
To my raptured vision
All ecstatic joys that spring
Round the bright elysian.
Lo, we lift our longing eyes,
Burst, ye intervening skies,
Sun of righteousness arise,
Ope the gates of Paradise.

Floods of everlasting light
Freely flash before him;
Myriads, with supreme delight,
Instantly adore him.
Angel trumps resound his fame,
Lutes of lucid gold proclaim
All the music of his name,
Heav’n echoing with the theme.

Four-and-twenty elders rise
From their princely station;
Shout his glorious victories,
Sing the great salvation;
Cast their crowns before his throne,
Cry, in reverential tone,
Glory give to God alone,
Holy, holy, holy one!”

Hark! the thrilling symphonies
Seem, methinks, to seize us?
Join we too their holy lays,
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Sweetest sound in seraph’s song,
Sweetest notes on mortal tongue,
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, Jesus, roll along.