Creation waits in deep and holy yearning,
through every age of shadow, cold, and night;
through darkened years the faithful hearts kept burning,
for One long-promised, hidden yet from sight.

Take heart, take heart, ye long-awaiting mortals--
the watch is done; let heaven's song begin!

Lift up your heads! Ye everlasting portals!
Behold -- the King of glory shall come in!

He comes! He comes! The King of glory comes in!

But who is this, that all the heavens ponder,
that everlasting doors should yield the way?
"Who is this King of glory?" -- nations wonder,
the very heavens lean to hear this day.

Then hear the answer break, and tell the story--
the earth's reply resounds from sea to sea:

The LORD, the strong and mighty, comes in glory,
the LORD of hosts, in battle mighty, He!

This is the King of glory -- He is come.