1 Burst, ye emerald gates and bring
To my raptured vision,
All th’ecstatic joys that spring,
Round the bright Elysian;
Lo, we lift our longing eyes;
Break, ye intervening skies;
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Ope the gates of paradise.
2 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;
Heaven echoing the same.
3 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 be to God alone,
Holy! Holy! Holy One.
4 Hark! the thrilling symphonies
Seem, methink, to seize us,
Join we, too, their holy lay—
Sing of Him who saves us;
Sweetest sound in seraph song—
Sweetest note on mortal tongue,
Sweetest carol ever sung—
Let its echoes flow along.