HILLS OF THE NORTH, REJOICE!

 A HYMN FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

By Charles E. Oakley, 1870

 

1 Hills of the North, rejoice, river and mountain-spring,

hark to the advent voice; valley and lowland, sing.

Christ comes in righteousness and love, he brings salvation from above.

 

2 Isles of the Southern seas, sing to the listening earth,

 carry on every breeze hope of a world's new birth:

In Christ shall all be made anew, his word is sure, his promise true.

 

3 Lands of the East, arise, he is your brightest morn,

greet him with joyous eyes, praise shall his path adorn:

your seers have longed to know their Lord; to you he comes, the final word.

 

4 Shores of the utmost West, lands of the setting sun,

welcome the heavenly guest in whom the dawn has come:

he brings a never-ending light who triumphed o'er our darkest night.

 

5 Shout, as you journey home, songs be in every mouth,

lo, from the North they come, from East and West and South:

in Jesus all shall find their rest, in him the universe be blest.