The Cyber Hymnal ‎#10573

10573. Vision From The Apocalypse

1 I saw again. Behold! Heaven’s open door,
Behold! a throne—the seraphim stood o’er it—
The white-robed elders fell upon the floor,
And flung their crowns before it.

2 I saw a wondrous book—an angel strong
To Heaven and earth proclaimed his loud appeals—
But a hush passed across the seraph’s song,
For none might loose the seals.

3 Then, fast as rain to death cry of the year,
Tears of St. John to that sad cry were given;
It was a wondrous thing to see a tear
Fall on the floor of Heaven!

4 And a sweet voice said, "Weep not, wherefore fails
Eagle of God, thy heart, the high and leal?
The Lion out of Judah’s tribe prevails
To loose the seven-fold seal."

5 ’Twas Israel’s voice; and straightway, up above,
Stood in the midst a wondrous Lamb, snow white,
Heart-wounded with the deep sweet wounds of love,
Eternal, infinite.

6 Then rose the song no ear had heard before;
Then from the white-robed throng high anthem woke;
And fast as spring-tide on the sealess shore
The hallelujahs broke.

7 Who dreams of God when passionate youth is high,
When first life’s weary waste his feet have trod—
Who seeth angels’ footfalls in the sky,
Working the works of God,

8 His sun shall fade as gently as it rose,
Thro’ the dark woof of death’s approaching night
His faith shall shoot, at life’s prophetic close,
Some threads of golden light.

9 For him the silver ladder shall be set—
His Savior shall receive his latest breath—
He walketh to a fadeless coronet
Up thro’ the gate of death.

Text Information

• First Line: I saw again. Behold! Heaven’s open door
• Title: Vision From The Apocalypse
• Author: William Alexander (1857)
• Meter: 10.10.10.6
• Language: English
• Source: From the poem "The Death of Jacob"
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: PEACE
• Composer: George W. Chadwick (1890)
• Meter: 10.10.10.5
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain