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!
Sons of righteousness, arise!
Ope the gates of paradise?
Chorus: O, how good it is to be blessed,
And dwell where loving Jesus is!
2 Floods of everlasting light
Freely flash before him;
Myriads, with supreme delight,
Instantly adore him;
Angel's trumps resound his fame;
Lutes of lucid gold proclaim
All the music of his name,
Heaven echoing the theme. [Chorus]
3 Four and twenty elders rise
From their princely station;
Shout his glorious victories,
Sing his great salvation;
Cast their crowns before his throne;
Cry, in reverential tone,
"Glory be to God alone,
Holy, holy, holy One!" [Chorus]
Kempenfelt, Richard, of Swedish descent, was born Oct., 1718. In Jan., 1741, he obtained a lieutenant's commission in the British Navy. He became captain in 1757, and admiral in 1780. He was drowned in the "Royal George," which sank in harbour at Portsmouth on Aug. 29, 1782. Admiral Kempenfelt was an admirer of Whitefield and the Wesleys, and interested himself much in evangelistic work. His hymns were published as Original Hymns and Poems. By Philotheorus. Exeter, printed by B. Thorn, 1777, and were dedicated "To the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, Vicar of Madeley, in Shropshire." They were reprinted, with a Preface, by D. Sedgwick, in 1861. Although most of these hymns are given in the older collections, only a few re¬main in modern hymn-books, and,… Go to person page >
Display Title: Burst, Ye Emerald GatesFirst Line: Burst, ye emerald gates and bringTune Title: TRANSPORTING VISIONAuthor: Richard Kempenfelt, 1718-1782Meter: 76.76.77.77
Display Title: Burst, ye emerald gates, and bringFirst Line: Burst, ye emerald gates, and bringTune Title: ELYSIANAuthor: Richard KemperfeltMeter: 7,6,7,6,7,7,7,7.Date: 1991