Scripture Verse

I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

Introduction

portrait
Frederic E. Weatherly
1848–1929
National Portrait Gallery
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Words: Fred­er­ic E. Wea­ther­ly, 1892. Jea­nette Mac­Don­ald sang this piece in the 1936 film San Fran­cis­co, which won an Aca­de­my Award for Best Sound Re­cord­ing, and was nom­in­at­ed in five oth­er ca­te­gor­ies.

Music: Mi­chael May­brick (🔊 pdf nwc).

illustration
The Holy City
Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1905

Lyrics

Last night I lay a sleeping,
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang,
Methought the voice of angels
From Heav’n in answer rang;
Methought the voice of angels
From Heav’n in answer rang—
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna to your king!

And then methought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! how the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna to your king.

And once again the scene was changed,
New earth there seemed to be,
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day,
It was the new Jerusalem,
That would not pass away,
It was the new Jerusalem,
That would not pass away.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing, for the night is o’er!
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna for evermore!
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna for evermore!