Scripture Verse

Behold, I make all things new. Revelation 21:5

Introduction

portrait
Samuel Longfellow (1819–1892)

Words: Sam­uel Long­fel­low, 1876.

Music: Monk­land John An­tes, in A Col­lect­ion of Hymn Tunes Chief­ly Com­posed for Pri­vate Amuse­ment by John An­tes, cir­ca 1790. Ar­ranged by John B. Wilkes in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1861 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of An­tes or Wilkes (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Lo, the earth is ris­en again
From the winter’s bond and pain!
Bring we leaf and flower and spray
To adorn our holiday!

Once again the word comes true,
Lo, He maketh all things new!
Now the dark, cold days are o’er,
Light and gladness are before.

How our hearts leap with the spring!
How our spirits soar and sing!
Light is victor over gloom,
Life triumphant o’er the tomb.

Change, then, mourning into praise,
And, for dirges, anthems raise!
All our fears and griefs shall be
Lost in immortality.