The Lord Ascendeth Up on High (An Ascension Anthem for SATB chorus, a cappella) was composed in 2011 as a part of a series of short anthems celebrating various Seasons of the liturgical year. Using the first words of the poem as its title, my The Lord Ascendeth Up on High is based on a hymn text by Arthur Tozer Russell (1806-1874). Although Mr. Russell is known largely as a translator of the hymns of Martin Luther and other German hymn writers, The Lord Ascendeth Up on High is one of his original hymn texts. It first appeared in print in the Dalston German Hospital hymnal, Hymns for Public Worship (London, 1848).
Dan Locklair
Winston-Salem, NC
Duration: ca. 2’ 00”
The Lord ascendeth up on high,
The Lord hath triumphed gloriously,
In power and might excelling;
The grave and hell are captive led,
Lo! He returns, our glorious Head,
To His eternal dwelling.
The heavens with joy receive their Lord,
By saints, by angel hosts adored,
O day of exultation!
O earth, adore thy glorious King!
His rising, His ascension sing
With grateful adoration!
Our great High Priest hath gone before,
Now on His Church His grace to pour,
And still His love He giveth;
O may our hearts to Him ascend;
May all within us upward tend
To Him Who ever liveth!
Arthur Russell