1 Lift up your heads, rejoice: redemption draweth nigh;
now breathes a softer air, now shines a milder sky;
the early trees put forth their new and tender leaf;
hushed is the moaning wind that told of winter's grief.
2 Lift up your heads, rejoice: redemption draweth nigh;
now mount the leader clouds, now flames the darkn'ing sky;
the early scattered drops descend with heavy fall,
and to the waiting earth the hidden thunders call.
3 Lift up your heads, rejoice: redemption draweth nigh;
O note the varying signs of earth and air and sky.
the God of glory comes in gentleness and might,
to comfort and alarm, to succor and to smite.
4 He come, the wide world's King; he comes, the true heart's friend,
new gladness to begin, and ancient wrong to end;
he comes to fill with light the weary, waiting eye:
lift up your heads, rejoice: redemption draweth nigh.