Flame of far celestial fire,
lighting every high desire,
promised gift of Christ’s ascending,
still a heavenly flame descending
on each soul with Spirit gifting,
we behold the shadows lifting,
flame that burns through old divisions—
race and gender—blessed visions
standing by us, ever pleading.
By the Spirit interceding,
scrolls are opened that were sealed,
by their hidden words revealed,
out from dungeons error wrought
liberating truth is brought;
out from prisons of despair,
hope emerges free and fair.
In word we cannot think or say,
articulated when we pray,
in vistas promising and gleaming
the beautiful and true redeeming,
in anthems mute and long forgotten
by the Spirit once begotten
music from a distant shore
we exult to hear once more.
We shall know the One who bore us,
faithful intercessor for us.
Oh, through dim and dreary skies,
see the vision crystallize!
