Edward Hayes Plumptre (1821–1891)

REJOICE, ye pure in heart,

Rejoice, give thanks and sing;

Your festal banner wave on high,

The Cross of Christ your King.

Bright youth and snow-crown’d age

Strong men and maidens meek,

Raise high your free exulting song,

God’s wondrous praises speak.

Yes onward, onward still,

With hymn and chant and song,

Thro’ gate, and porch, and columned aisle

The hallow’d pathways throng.

With all the angel-choirs,

With all the saints on earth,

Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,

True rapture, noblest mirth.

Your clear Hosannas raise,

And Hallelujahs loud,

Whilst answering echoes upward float,

Like wreaths of incense-cloud.

With voice as full and strong

As ocean’s surging praise,

Send forth the hymns our fathers loved,

The psalms of ancient days.

Yes, on, through life’s long path,

Still chanting as ye go,

From youth to age, by night and day,

In gladness and in woe.

Still lift your standard high,

Still march in firm array,

As warriors through the darkness toil,

Till dawns the golden day.

At last the march shall end,

The wearied ones shall rest,

The pilgrims find their Father’s house,

Jerusalem the blest.

Then on, ye pure in heart,

Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;

Your festal banner wave on high,

The Cross of Christ your King.

Praise Him who reigns on high,

The Lord whom we adore,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

One God for evermore.