Scripture Verse

If children, then…heirs of God. Romans 8:17

Introduction

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John Cennick 1718–1755
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: John Cen­nick, Sac­red Hymns for the Child­ren of God 1742. This hymn is sung at the be­gin­ning and end of the 1942 Aca­de­my Award win­ning mo­vie Mrs. Min­iv­er.

Music: Pley­el’s Hymn Ig­naz J. Pley­el, 1791 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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Ignaz J. Pleyel (1757–1831)

Lyrics

Children of the heavenly King,
As ye journey, sweetly sing;
Sing your Sav­ior’s worthy praise,
Glorious in His works and ways

We are traveling home to God,
In the way the fathers trod;
They are happy now, and we
Soon their happiness shall see.

Glory be to Je­sus’ name,
Glory be to Christ the Lamb;
Through Thy blood were we redeemed,
When we justly were con­demned.

O, ye banished seed, be glad!
Christ our advocate is made;
Us to save, our flesh assumes—
Brother to our souls becomes.

Shout, ye little flock, and blest,
You on Je­sus’ throne shall rest:
There your seat is now prepared—
There your kingdom and reward.

Lift your eyes, ye sons of light,
Zion’s city is in sight:
There our endless home shall be,
There our Lord we soon shall see.

Fear not, brethren; joyful stand
On the borders of your land;
Jesus Christ, your Fa­ther’s Son,
Bids you undismayed go on.

Lord, obedient we would go,
Gladly leaving all below;
Only Thou our leader be;
And we still will follow Thee.

For Thee all things we forsake,
We in better would partake;
We to greater blessings soar,
Unto joys for ev­er­more.

Thither, Lord, us quickly bring,
There we with Thy host will sing;
Safely havened once in bliss,
We will praise Thy right­eous­ness.

Daily us prepare and fit,
On Thy holy throne to sit!
More and more adorn Thy seed,
Meet to triumph with our head.

Seal our love, our labors end,
Let us to Thy bliss as­cend;
Let us to Thy kingdom come;
Lord, we long to be at home.