Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

 

Franz Joseph Haydn

  Glorious things of thee are spoken,

  Zion, city of our God;

  he whose word cannot be broken

  formed thee for his own abode;

  on the Rock of Ages founded,

  what can shake thy sure repose?

  With salvation's walls surrounded,

  thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

A lively tune based on a Croatian folk song, by Franz Joseph Haydn (words by John Newton). Again, using a more period sound with a harpsichord stop.  You can't help but feel happy with this arrangement, I think. It was a fun discovery... Hope you enjoy it!

This arrangement comes from Sunday Morning Companion, Arr by Victor Labenske, found here. More details can be found on the Project Page.

Glorious things of thee are spoken,

Zion, city of our God;

he whose word cannot be broken

formed thee for his own abode;

on the Rock of Ages founded,

what can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation's walls surrounded,

thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,

spring form eternal love,

well supply thy sons and daughters

and all fear of want remove.

Who can faint, when such a river

ever flows their thirst to assuage?

Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver,

never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering,

see the cloud and fire appear

for a glory and a covering,

showing that the Lord is near.

Thus they march, their pillar leading,

light by night, and shade by day;

daily on the manna feeding

which he gives them when they pray.

Blest inhabitants of Zion,

washed in the Redeemer's blood!

Jesus, whom their souls rely on,

makes them kings and priests to God.

'Tis his love his people raises

over self to reign as kings:

and as priests, his solemn praises

each for a thank-offering brings.

Savior, if of Zion's city,

I through grace a member am,

let the world deride or pity,

I will glory in thy Name.

Fading is the worldling's pleasure,

all his boasted pomp and show;

solid joys and lasting treasure

none but Zion's children know.