The Feast of the Ascension

Today is the "official" feast day marking the Ascension of Jesus, though most churches will observe the day on this coming Sunday.

Many hymns for this day focus on the actual going-up portion of the story from Acts 1:1-11: (Jesus) was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. But another theme of the Ascension expressed in hymns and prayers is Jesus taking his place in heaven as Ruler and Sovereign.

Look, O look, the sight is glorious:
As we see thee, Jesus, now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Every knee to thee shall bow;
Crown thee, crown thee,
Crown thee, crown thee,
Crowns become the Victor’s brow,
Crowns become the Victor’s brow.

Mortals crown thee! angels crown thee!
Rich the trophies thou dost bring;
On the seat of power enthrone thee,
While the vault of heaven rings;
Crown thee, crown thee,
Crown thee, crown thee,
Jesus, praise to thee we sing,
Jesus, praise to thee we sing,

Soldiers in derision crowned thee,
Mocking thus thy rightful claim;
Saints and angels now acclaim thee,
Own thy title, praise thy name;
Crown thee, crown thee,
Crown thee, crown thee,
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame,
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame.

Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
As thou tak'st the highest station;
Claiming sovereignty's rewards!
Crown thee, crown thee,
Crown thee, crown thee,
O what joy the sight affords!
O what joy the sight affords!

Thomas Kelly, 1809; alt.
Tune: BRYN CALFARIA
William Owen, 1852

BRYN CALFARIA (Mount Calvary in Welsh) is a rather rambunctious tune by William Owen (1813- 1893), first matched with the text Gwaed y groes s'yn codi fynny in Owen's collection Y Perl Cerdderol (1852). Owen reportedly composed his first hymn tune at the age of eighteen, but this one is certainly the most well-known of them.

P.S.: The window above is from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA.

One Year Ago: The Feast of the Ascension
and Ascension Sunday