Heb.11:13,16

7,7,7,7,7,7

Himmelwärts geht unsere Bahn

[93]Schmolck.1731.

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855

Heavenward doth our journey tend,

We are strangers here on earth,

Through the wilderness we wend

Towards the Canaan of our birth.

Here we roam a pilgrim band,

Yonder is our native land.

Heavenward stretch, my soul, thy wings,

Heavenly nature canst thou claim,

There is nought of earthly things

Worthy to be all thine aim;

Every soul that God inspires

Back to Him, its Source, aspires.

Heavenward! doth His Spirit cry,

When I hear Him in His Word,

Showing thus the rest on high,

Where I shall be with my Lord:

When His Word fills all my thought,

Oft to heaven my soul is caught.

Heavenward ever would I haste,

When Thy table, Lord, is spread;

Heavenly strength on earth I taste,

Feeding on the Living Bread;

Such is e'en on earth our fare,

Who Thy marriage feast shall share.

Heavenward! Faith discerns the prize

That is waiting us afar,

And my heart would swiftly rise,

High o'er sun and moon and star,

To that Light behind the veil

Where all earthly splendours pale.

Heavenward Death shall lead at last,

To the home where I would be,

All my sorrows overpast,

I shall triumph there with Thee,

Jesus, who hast gone before,

That we too might Heavenward soar.

Heavenward! Heavenward! Only this

Is my watchword on the earth;

For the love of heavenly bliss

Counting all things little worth.

Heavenward all my being tends,

Till in Heaven my journey ends.