O Christ, Thou hast ascended,
Triumphantly on high!
By cherub guards attended
And armies of the sky:
Let earth tell forth the story—
Our very flesh and bone,
Immanuel, in glory,
Ascends His Father’s throne.

Heaven’s 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.

O for the priceless merit
Of Thy redeeming cross!
Vouchsafe Thy sevenfold spirit
And turn to gain our loss;
Till we by strong endeavor
In heart and mind ascend
And dwell with Thee forever
In raptures without end.