Blessèd city, heavenly Salem,
Vision dear of peace and love,
Who of living stones art builded
In the heights of Heaven above,
And, with angel host encircled,
As a bride to earth dost move.

From celestial realms descending,
Bridal glory round thee shed,
Meet for Him Whose love espoused thee,
To thy Lord shalt thou be led;
All thy streets and all thy bulwarks
Of pure gold are fashionèd.

Bright with pearls her portals glitter
They are open evermore;
And, by virtue of His merits,
Thither faithful souls may soar,
Who for Christ’s dear Name in this world
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture
Fashioned well those stones elect,
In their places now compacted
By the heavenly Architect,
Who therewith hath willed forever
That his palace should be decked.

Grant that all Thy faithful people
May Thy truer temple be;
Neither flesh, nor soul, nor spirit,
Know another Lord than Thee;
But to Thee once dedicated
Serve Thee ever lastingly.

Come Thou now, and be among us,
Lord and Maker, while we pray;
Let Thy presence fill the temple
Which we dedicate today,
And Thyself, as consecrator,
Dwell within its walls always.

Glory to thy royal Bridegroom,
Salem, sing rejoicingly;
He, thy Lord, thy Light, thy Temple,
Dwelleth ever more with thee;
His be blessing and thanksgiving,
Now and to eternity.

Happy town of Salem, set on Zion’s hill!
Happy hearts of pilgrims, could they see it still!
He that follows Jesus, He that dares the right,
Sees the lights of Salem gleam across the night.

Happy town of Salem, with the jasper wall!
In its many mansions there is room for all.
“Come to Me,” says Jesus, “I will give you rest,”
And the town of Salem gathers all the blest.

Happy town of Salem, happy little feet
Of the children playing in the golden street!
“Let them come,” says Jesus, “and forbid them not”;
But the proud in Salem have no part or lot.

Happy town of Salem, with its open gates!
Happy are the pilgrims whom a welcome waits!
In the Name of Jesus, they an entrance claim,
And the guards of Salem answer, “In His Name.”

Happy town of Salem, vision true of peace,
Seen above earth’s strivings, steadfast when they cease!
“Take thy cross,” says Jesus, and the narrow way
Brings the feet to Salem at the break of day.

Rise, crowned with light, imperial Salem, rise!
Exalt thy towering Head and lift thine eyes!
See Heav’n its sparkling portals wide display,
And break upon thee in a flood of day!

See a long race thy spacious courts adorn;
See future sons, and daughters yet unborn,
In crowding ranks on every side arise,
Demanding life, impatient for the skies.

See barbarous nations at Thy gates attend,
Walk in Thy light, and in Thy temple bend:
See Thy bright altars thronged with prostrate kings,
While every land its joyous tribute brings.

The seas shall waste, the skies in smoke decay,
Rocks fall to dust, and mountains melt away;
But fixed His Word, His saving power remains;
Thy realm shall last, Thy own Messiah reigns!