Up The Holy Mount Ascending

For many years our family went camping in the Adirondack Mountains. Undistracted by the busyness of the parish, with no cell phones or computers at the time, and surrounded by the beauty of creation, it was a perfect setting to write.

On the trip during the Summer of 1995, I pondered what kind of hymn the Church needed.  Since we were camping in August, Transfiguration was on my mind. 

So I read all of the Transfiguration accounts in the Synoptics, conflated them, and then wrote a versified hymn based on the 3 Gospel accounts. 

You’ll notice the use of “Alleluia” in every verse.  Not only does this reflect the usage in the Advent hymn, Lo, He Comes… (This hymn is set to Helmsley, the same tune)  but since in LCMS Churches transfiguration takes place on the last Sunday in Epiphany (yeah, the LCMS was never really concerned with following the pattern of the Church Catholic…ugh!)  the usage of Alleluia was done intentionally.  It is a forbidden word in Lent.  We were bidding it adieu.

As the text is a versified setting of the Gospels, reflecting each action of the Transfiguration, it is necessarily long.  It is supposed to be. I wrote an abbreviated version set to Regent Square; if you’d like a copy, contact me.

Up the holy mount ascending, Jesus’ glory now revealed;

Law and prophet stand before Him, their true meaning now unsealed.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

His departure soon to yield.

 

The Disciple who confessed Him, with the Two were wrapped in fear;

Speechless offered to build shelter, so to keep the moment near.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! “It is good, Lord, to be here.”

 

As the bright cloud did enfold them, and the heavens opened wide,

“My beloved Son, My Chosen,” God the Father testified.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Let His Word now be your guide.

 

When they heard the Voice, most holy, they fell face-down on the ground;

“Rise and fear not!” Jesus bade them, For a time to silence bound.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! As they left that sacred Mound.

 

Could this truly be Messiah, as they pondered all they saw?

Was not first Elijah coming, in fulfillment of the Law?

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! They asked Him in fearful awe.

 

“The fulfillment of Elijah to the world already came,

As he suffered under Herod, Son of Man must do the same.”

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Then they recognized his name.

 

In Your Light and in Your Glory, to our altars now descend,

With your Holy Body broken, and Your Blood Your curtain rend!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! We now praise You without end!

 

Praise to God the Father who made us, giving us His Son, most dear!

Praise to Jesus Christ, who Saves us, Freeing us from death and fear!

Praise to God the Spirit, Trinity most blessed! Alleluia! It is good, Lord, to be here.