HEAVEN AT LAST

Heaven at Last

Angel voices sweetly singing,
Echoes through the blue dome ringing,
News of wondrous gladness bringing...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Now beneath us all the grieving,
All the wounded spirit's heaving,
All the woe of hopes deceiving...
Ah 'tis heaven at last!

Sin for ever left behind us,
Earthly visions cease to blind us,
Fleshly fetters cease to bind us...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

On the jasper threshold standing,
Like a pilgrim safely landing
See, the strange bright scene expanding...
Ah 'tis heaven at last!

What a city! what a glory!
Far beyond the brightest story
Of the ages old and hoary...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Softest voices silver pealing,
Freshest fragrances spirit-healing,
Happy hymns around us stealing...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Gone the vanity and folly,
Gone the dark and melancholy,
Come the joyous and the holy...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Not a broken blossom yonder,
Not a link can snap asunder,
Stay'd the tempest, sheathed the thunder...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Not a tear-drop ever falleth,
Not a pleasure ever palleth,
Song to song for ever calleth...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Christ Himself the living splendour,
Christ the sunlight mild and tender;
Praises to the Lamb we render...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Now at length the veil is rended,
Now the pilgrimage is ended,
And the saints their thrones ascended...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Broken death's dread bands that bound us,
Life and victory around us,
Christ the King Himself hath crowned us...
Ah,'tis heaven at last!

—Horatius Bonar