By a Road Before Untrod

For a Sunday celebration of the Ascension (probably larger than a Thursday one) a somewhat grander hymn might be in order. This eighth century text by scholar and historian the Venerable Bede, Hymn­um can­a­mus Dom­i­no, is matched with a familiar tune from eight centuries later. Somewhere today I'm sure it's being sung.

A hymn of glory let us sing
New songs throughout the world shall ring
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod
Ascends unto the throne of God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand
Alleluia, Alleluia!
With all Christ's followers they see
Jesus’ resplendent majesty
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

To whom the angels drawing nigh,
“Why stand and gaze upon the sky?”
Alleluia, Alleluia!
“This is the Savior,” thus they say.
“This is his noble triumph day.”
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

“Again you shall behold him so,
As you have this day seen him go.”
Alleluia, Alleluia!
“In glorious pomp ascending high
Up to the portals of the sky.”
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Jesus, our Joy and strong Defense,
Grant us our future recompense,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
So shall your grace and mercy be
Ours throughout all eternity,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Venerable Bede, 8th cent.
tr. Benjamin Webb, 1852; alt.
Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN (8.8.4.4.8.8.4.4.4.4.4.)
Geistlische Kirchengesang, 1623
harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906