American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#315

315. Jerusalem, Thou City Fair And High

1 Jerusalem, thou city fair and high,
Would God I were in thee!
My longing heart fain, fain to thee would fly!
It will not stay with me;
Far over vale and mountain,
Far over field and plain,
It hastes to seek its fountain
And quit this world of pain.

2 A moment's space and I shall surely be
Released from earthly ties.
God's chariot shall bear my soul to thee
Thro' all these lower skies
To yonder shining regions,
Where blessed saints do roam,
While fairest angel legions
Now bid me welcome home.

3 O Zion, hail! Bright city, now unfold
Thy pearly gates to me.
How many times I longed for thee of old
Ere God had set me free
From yon dark life of sadness,
Yon world that counts for naught,
And given me the gladness,
The heritage I sought.

4 When I within that lovely Paradise
At last shall safely dwell,
What songs of bliss shall from my lips arise,
What joy my tongue shall tell,
While all the saints are singing
Hosannas o'er and o'er,
And golden harps are ringing
Around me evermore!

Text Information

• First Line: Jerusalem, thou city fair and high
• Title: Jerusalem, Thou City Fair And High
• Author: Johann Matthaeus Meyfart (1626)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (a.)
• Meter: 10 6 10 6 7 6 7 6
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Christian Life: Heaven

Tune Information

• Name: JERUSALEM
• Composer: M. Franck (1639)
• Meter: 10 6 10 6 7 6 7 6
• Key: D Major
• Source: German chorale: Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt