Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Urbs beata Jerusalem

Traditional

“Urbs beata Jerusalem” as printed in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 319 1867 · historical text
Public domainHymnMediaeval song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences, edited by John Mason Neale, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Blessed City, Heavenly Salem,

Vision dear of Peace and Love,

Who, of living stones upbuilded,

Art the joy of Heav'n above,

And, with angel cohorts circled,

As a Bride to earth dost move!

Verse 2

From celestial realms descending,

Ready for the nuptial bed,

To His presence, deck'd with jewels,

By her Lord shall she be led:

All her streets, and all her bulwarks,

Of pure gold are fashioned.

Verse 3

Bright with pearls her portal glitters;

It is open evermore;

And, by virtue of His merits,

Thither faithful souls may soar,

Who for Christ's dear Name, in this world

Pain and tribulation bore.

Verse 4

Many a blow and biting sculpture

Polish'd well those stones elect,

In their places now compacted

By the Heavenly Architect,

Who therewith hath will'd for ever

That His Palace should be deck'd.

Verse 5

Christ is made the sure Foundation,

And the precious Corner-stone,

Who, the two-fold walls surmounting,

Binds them closely into one:

Holy Sion's help for ever,

And her confidence alone.

Verse 6

All that dedicated City,

Dearly lov'd by God on high,

In exultant jubilation

Pours perpetual melody;

God the One, and God the Trinal,

Singing everlastingly.

Verse 7

To this Temple, where we call Thee,

Come, O Lord of Hosts, to-day!

With Thy wonted loving-kindness

Hear Thy people as they pray;

And Thy fullest benediction

Shed within its walls for aye.

Verse 8

Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants

That they supplicate to gain:

Here to have and hold for ever

Those good things their prayers obtain;

And hereafter in Thy Glory

With Thy blessed ones to reign.

Verse 9

Laud and honour to the Father;

Laud and honour to the Son;

Laud and honour to the Spirit;

Ever Three, and ever One:

Consubstantial, Co-eternal,

While unending ages run. Amen.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867), edited by John Mason Neale, “Urbs beata Jerusalem”

The 1867 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author or translator died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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