O Christ, Thou hast ascended

Triumphantly on high,

By cherub guards attended

And armies of the sky;

mfLet earth tell forth the story,

Our very flesh and bone,

Emmanuel, in glory,

Ascends His Father’s throne.

Heav’ns gates unfold above Thee

But canst Thou, Lord, forget

The little band who love Thee

And gaze from Olivet?

Nay, on Thy breast engraven

Thou bearest every name,

Our Priest in earth and heaven

Eternally the same.

There, there Thou standest pleading

The virtue of Thy blood,

For sinners interceding,

Our Advocate with God;

And every changeful fashion

Of our brief joys and cares

Finds thought in Thy compassion

And echo in Thy prayers.

Oh, for the priceless merit

Of Thy redeeming cross,

Vouchsafe Thy sev’n fold Spirit

And turn to gain our loss;

Till we by strong endeavour

In heart and mind ascend

And dwell with Thee for ever

In glories without end.