The chosen three, on mountain height,
While Jesus bowed in prayer,
Beheld His vesture glow with light,
His face shine wondrous fair.

And lo! with the transfigured Lord,
Leader and seer they saw;
With Carmel’s hoary prophet stood
The giver of the law.

From the low bending cloud above,
Whence radiant brightness shone,
Spake out the Father’s voice of love,
“Hear My belovèd Son!”

Lord, lead us to the mountain height;
To prayer’s transfiguring glow;
And clothe us with the Spirit’s might
For grander work below.

For ever we would gaze on Thee,
O Lord, upon the Mount;
With Moses and Elias see
That light from Light’s own Fount;

For ever with the chosen three
Would stand upon that height,
And in that blessèd company
Be plunged in pure delight.

For ever would we train the ear
To that celestial Voice;
In Thee, the Son of God, so near
For evermore rejoice.

Here would we pitch our constant tent,
For ever here abide;
And dwell in peace and full content,
Dear Master, at Thy side.

But no! not yet to man ’tis given
To rest upon that height;
’Tis but a passing glimpse of Heav’n;
We must descend and fight.

Beneath the Mount is toil and pain;
O Christ, Thy strength impart;
Till we, transfigured, too, shall reign
For ever where Thou art.

An image of that heavenly light,
The goal the Church keeps ay in sight,
Christ on the holy mount displays
Where He outshines the sun’s bright rays.

Let every age proclaimer be
How, on this day, the chosen three
With Moses and Elias heard
The Lord speak many a gracious word.

As witnesses to grace are nigh
Those twain, the Law and Prophecy;
And to the Son, from out the cloud,
The Father’s record thunders loud.

With garments whiter than the snows,
And shining face, Lord Jesus shows
What glory for those saints shall be
Who joy in God with piety.

The vision and the mystery
Make faithful hearts beat quick and high,
So on this solemn day of days
The cry goes up of prayer and praise.

O God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Vouchsafe to bring us, by thy grace,
To see thy glory face to face.