The gloomy night of sadness

1 The gloomy sight of sadness
Begins to flee away;
The glowing tinge of morning
Proclaims the rising day.
The welcome day of promise,
When Christ shall claim his right;
And on the world is darkness,
Pour forth a flood of light.

2 Now truth, unveil'd, is shining,
With beams of sacred light;
And men, emerged from darkness,
Behold the glorious sight:
Their glowing hearts in rapture
Are fill'd with joy divine;
And clad in borrow'd lustre,
To Jesus' praise they shine.

3 Let us begin the anthems,
And join the choir above;
Exalt our great Redeemer,
And praise the God we love:
All honour, praise, and glory,
Salvation to our God;
Hosanna to the Saviour
Who wash'd us in his blood.

4 The courts of heaven are ringing
With songs of highest strains,
And ceaseless praise is rolling
Along the flowery plains:
Oh! could we rise triumphant,
And join with those above,
To shout and sing for ever
The Saviour's dying love.


Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #142