Emmanuel Shall Come (Advent Hymn of Christ the King)
  • contemporaryworship92
    Posts: 257
    I'm trying my hand at some hymn lyric writing. My goal here was to take the Battle Hymn of the Republic and make it explicitly reflect the theological and liturgical themes of Advent. I'd love to hear any feedback about how to improve the text.

    This is kind of way too long to be used in a normal service, so this is largely a creative writing exercise. Anyways, here goes!
    Emmanuel Shall Come (Advent Hymn of Christ the King)

    Verse 1
    Mine eyes will see the glory of the coming of the Lord
    He'll announce a year of favor as the Kingdom is restored
    He will loose the chains that bind us to the famine and the sword
    Emmanuel shall come!

    Verse 2
    I have seen the shoot that's budding from the stump of Jesse's tree
    That shall ransom captive Israel and set all people free
    From the chains that bind us captive unto Satan's tyranny
    Emmanuel shall come!

    Verse 3
    I can hear Isaiah speaking in the prophecies of old
    Every nation giving homage bringing frankincense and gold
    I can read the ancient promise every prophet has foretold
    "Emmanuel shall come!"

    Verse 4
    He has sounded forth a warning via John the Baptist's cry
    In the desert there proclaiming that the Son of Man is nigh
    Oh prepare the way to welcome Him descending from on high
    Emmanuel shall come!

    Verse 5
    I have seen His star arising I have come to see the King!
    Let my longing heart adore Him, join the angels worshiping
    With the chorus in the heavens someday every heart shall sing
    "Emmanuel Has Come!"

    Chorus 1
    Glory, glory, in the highest!
    Glory, glory, in the highest!
    Glory, glory, in the highest!
    Emmanuel has come!

    Verse 6
    In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
    In a lowly wooden manger he embraces poverty
    He will die to make men holy, he will rise to make men free
    Emmanuel has come!

    Chorus 2
    Glory, glory, hallelujah!
    Glory, glory, hallelujah!
    Glory, glory, hallelujah!
    For Christ the Lord has come!

    Verse 7
    When the Angel sounds the trumpet Jesus Christ will come again
    He'll pronounce the Final Judgement of all women and all men
    Oh prepare your hearts, be ready, we know not the hour when
    Emmanuel shall come!

    Chorus 3
    Glory, glory, hallelujah!
    Glory, glory, hallelujah!
    Glory, glory, hallelujah!
    For Christ shall come again!

    (c) 2023 by the original poster. If anyone actually wants to use this please message me for permission, which would be granted for free.


  • JMoellman
    Posts: 29
    I like this text a lot -- thank you!

    I'm not sure that I would use it liturgically, though, owing to the tune. More than anything, I think that has more to do with my experience with it when I was young.

    For now, I will be contemplating this text (and the tune) during my last minute Christmas preparations...
    Thanked by 2contemporaryworship92 LauraKaz
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