OUR special day, O Lord, has come That calls us to Thy earthly home, Thy glories to proclaim; With joy the summons we attend, With willing steps Thy courts ascend, And call upon Thy name.
We see with faith’s enraptured eyes The Heaven-built towers of Zion rise, The works of God survey; We think of mansions that contain Angels and saints, a glorious train, Shining with cloudless day.
There from the earth’s remotest end, All the redeemed of God ascend, Their triumph-song to sing; There, crowned with everlasting joy, In hymns of praise their tongues employ, They hail the immortal King.
There in Thy house not made with hands May we amid the heavenly bands Thy glorious name adore; There all Thy works of grace resound When of this house no trace is found, And time shall be no more.
James Merrick, 1720-69, Thomas Cotterill, 1779-1823