Gladness and Home

1. Out thro' the darkness the gleaming of morning
Gladdens our eyes so weary with night,
So many omens foretoken its dawning,
Preach it and sing it as almost in sight.
Cometh this day o'er earth's hilltops and mountains
Brighter than time ever brought to our eyes.
Joy in the sunshine, and peace in the shadows,
Playing together 'neath lovlier skies.

2. Beautiful fields with their beautiful flowers,
Beautiful trees with their fruitage and shade,
Beautiful walks to the turf-seated bowers,
Where beautiful hills slope away to the glade.
Beautiful city and beautiful river,
Mortals have failed their parts to foretell.
Ev'rything perfect, abiding forever,
So shall the new earth this old earth excel.

3. Beautiful music the valleys are filling,
Angels are list'ning to hear the new strain
Wafted from lips out of hearts that are thrilling
With rapture immortal for Him that was slain,
Beautiful King on the throne of his glory
Smiling a welcome to all that shall come.
Saved thro' believing redemption's sweet story,
Out of earth's darkness to gladness and home.

Source: Carols of Hope: a compilation of select sacred songs for use in Sunday schools, praise and young people's services #20