Introduction
National Portrait Gallery
Words: Joseph Swain, Walworth Hymns (London: J. Matthews, 1792), pages 43–44. The coming of Christ anticipated.
Music: Aber William H. Monk, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).
The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
Words: Joseph Swain, Walworth Hymns (London: J. Matthews, 1792), pages 43–44. The coming of Christ anticipated.
Music: Aber William H. Monk, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).
In expectation sweet
We’ll wait, and sing, and pray,
Till Christ’s triumphal car we meet,
And see an endless day.
He comes! He comes! behold
His presence melts the sky!
Celestial armies, clad in gold,
Around His chariot fly.
He comes! the Conqueror comes!
Death falls beneath His sword;
The joyful prisoners burst the tombs,
And rise to meet their Lord!
The trumpet sounds, Awake!
Ye dead, to judgment come!
The pillars of creation shake
While hell receives her doom.
Thrice happy morn for those
Who love the ways of peace;
No night of sorrow e’er shall close,
Or shade, their perfect bliss.