Daystar on high, bright harbinger of gladness,
Piercing the clouds of ignorance and error,
Thou hast dispersed our night of sin and sadness;
Death has no terror.
Darkness is past, joy cometh in the morning;
Hope springs anew for sinners without number:
Sleepers, awake! a brighter day is dawning;
Shake off your slumber.
Alleluia!

Prophets of old spake darkly of this wonder,
Psalmist and saints have handed on the story;
Now he is risen, bursting bonds asunder,
Risen to glory.
Earth's tyrants quail; the mighty make obeisance:
He hath preferred the innocent and lowly:
Mercy and truth shine round about his presence:
His name is Holy.
Alleluia!

Victor he comes in majesty, revealing
Promise of life and liberty to mortals:
Heaven and earth, with hymns of triumph pealing,
Throw wide their portals.
Praise him, ye nations, hearts and voices blending:
Raise high your song; the Conqueror advances:
Praise him with cymbals, lute and harp attending,
Praise him with dances.
Alleluia!

Hail him the Monarch, Ruler of creation;
Princes and powers, bow your heads before him;
This is the Lord, the God of our salvation;
Let us adore him.
Lord God of Hosts, great Deity supernal,
Be thou our strength, by thee our steps be guided,
Father and Son and Spirit co-eternal,
One undivided.
Alleluia!


J. R. L. Stainer