1 From east the sun, in splendor dressed,
Begins his lofty ride,
O'er mighty seas and mountain-crest,
O'er town and country-side.
2 He rises on that fairest shore
Where paradise once lay;
Brings light and life, and, as of yore,
New joy upon his way.
3 A greeting shimmers in his sphere
From Eden's ruddy dawn;
Here flowed the Fount of Life, and here
The Tree of Life has grown.
4 He greets us with a smile from Him
Who caused the light to be,
Brings memories sweet of Bethlehem,
Of angels' holy glee.
5 We catch a glimpse of Paradise
And of its golden groves,
When in the east we see arise
The sun in heavenly robes.
6 The starry hosts bow gently down
Before the rising sun;
It seems again in Bethlehem-town
Is born th'Eternal One.
7 Thou Sun, all mundane suns above,
Be praised that Thou didst rise
To lead us in Thy light and love
To Heaven's Paradise.
Source: Wartburg Hymnal: for church, school and home #33