Christ is gone up; yet ere he passed

Christ is gone up; yet ere he passed
from earth, in heaven to reign,
he formed one holy Church to last
till he should come again.

His twelve apostles first he made
his ministers of grace;
and they their hands on others laid,
to fill in turn their place.

So age by age, and year by year,
his grace was handed on;
and still the holy Church is here,
although her Lord is gone.

Let those find pardon, Lord, from thee,
whose love for her is cold;
bring wanderers in, and let there be
one Shepherd and one fold.

Words: John Mason Neale, 1843

Music: St. David, Jackson (Byzantium), Mirfield

Meter: CM

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 2000-2003.