Lyrics
Come, ye faithful, raise the anthem,
cleave the skies with shouts of praise;
sing to him who found the ransom,
Ancient of eternal days,
God of God, the Word incarnate,
whom the heaven of heaven obeys.
Ere he raised the lofty mountains,
formed of the seas, or built the sky,
love eternal, free and boundless,
moved the Lord of life to die,
foreordained the Prince of princes
for the throne of Calvary.
There, for us and our redemption,
see him for all his lifeblood pour,
there he wins our full salvation,
dies that we may die no more;
then, arising, lives for ever,
reigning where he was before.
High on yon celestial mountains
stands his gem-built throne, all bright,
midst unending alleluias
bursting from the sons of light;
Zion's people tell his praises,
Victor after hard-won fight.
Yet this earth he still remembers,
still be him the flock are fed;
yea, he gives them food immortal,
gives himself, the living Bread;
leads them where the precious fountain
from the smitten rock is shed.
Trust him then, ye fainting pilgrims;
who shall pluck you from his hand?
Pledged he stands for your salvation,
pledged to give the promised land,
where among the ransomed nations
ye around his throne shall stand.
Bring your harps, and bring your incense,
sweep the string and pour the lay;
let the earth proclaim his wonders,
King of that celestial day;
he the lamb once slain is worthy,
who was dead, and lives for ay.
Laud and honor to the Father,
laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One,
consubstantial, co-eternal,
while unending ages run.