While they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Acts 1:9
Words: Lucy R. Fleming, in The Highway to Heaven, edited by Anthony J. Showalter & J. Henry Showalter (Dalton, Georgia: A. J. Showalter, 1899).
Music: J. Henry Showalter (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Fleming (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Awake, awake, O earth!
Thy many voices raise,
And let the echoing hills
Repeat the note of praise.
Let all the isles rejoice,
Let seas take up the strain;
Christ from the dead hath come,
He lives, he lives again.
Refrain
He lives! Christ lives! He lives again.
Our risen Lord, today!
Christ from the dead hath come,
He lives, He lives again.
Awake, awake, O earth!
Forget the hour of gloom,
When in thy shuddering breast
Thy maker claimed a tomb.
Put off thy wintry robes
For garb of joyous spring;
Crown thee with lilies fair,
To greet the risen King.
Refrain
Bring treasures of the field,
Bring leaf and blossom sweet;
Thy choicest and thy best,
Before His piercèd feet.
While all thy sons are glad,
And tears are put away,
Let youth and age alike
Sing Christ is risen today.
Refrain
Lift up thy gates with praise,
And robes of joy put on;
The Lord of life and death
Has risen to His throne;
He hath gone up on high,
And giveth gifts to men;
He lives, no more to die,
He lives, he lives again.
Refrain