Rise, Crowned with Light
Alright, so Tchaikovsky didn’t actually write the
Russian hymn, the tune this hymn uses. However, it is
perhaps most famous for its use in the 1812 Overture,
one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular works. The
orchestral piece is about Russia’s victory over
Napoleon in 1812, and the hymn is used towards the end
as a tune of triumph.
Here, though, the triumphant nature of it fits
perfectly the words composed by Alexander Pope. The
thing that is rising is ac...(+)
Rise, Crowned with Light
Alright, so Tchaikovsky didn’t actually write the
Russian hymn, the tune this hymn uses. However, it is
perhaps most famous for its use in the 1812 Overture,
one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular works. The
orchestral piece is about Russia’s victory over
Napoleon in 1812, and the hymn is used towards the end
as a tune of triumph.
Here, though, the triumphant nature of it fits
perfectly the words composed by Alexander Pope. The
thing that is rising is actually the imperial city,
which could be interpreted to mean Heaven. However, I
think by city Pope is actually referring (poetically)
to those who will be populating the imperial
city—Christians. The first verse describes the
majesty of Heaven. In the second verse, the line
“See future sons, and daughters yet unborn,” would
seem to refer to future residents not born—either
physically or spiritually. Verse three describes the
end of our earth—“The seas shall waste, the skies
in smoke decay.” However—and here, I think, is the
reason “city” refers to the people who will dwell
there—it ends saying “Thy realm shall last, thy own
Messiah reigns!” Messiah refers to the saving nature
of Jesus Christ. He is not God’s savior—for God
needs no savior. He is not Heaven’s savior,
either—Heaven is perfect, unspoilt, with no need of
redemption. All that Christ has saved is that part of
fallen humanity which has put its trust in Him for
their redemption. Therefore, this is a hymn of triumph
about Christians going up to Heaven to see Jesus.
Part of this arrangement is a straight-up transcription
of the 1812 Overture, which I found fit surprisingly
well on piano. The same piece that captures the
excitement of a meager battle on earth serves well as a
celebration of the greatest victory of all, Christ’s
victory over sin. I hope you enjoy it!
1. Rise, crowned with light, imperial city rise!
Exalt thy tow’ring head and lift thine eyes!
See heav’n its sparkling portals wide display,
And breaking upon thee in a flood of day!
2. See a long race thy spacious courts adorn;
See future sons, and daughters yet unborn,
In crowding ranks on ev’ry side arise,
Demanding life, impatient for the skies.
3. The seas shall waste, the skies in smoke decay,
Rocks fall to dust, and mountains melt away;
But fixed His word, His saving pow’r remains;
Thy realm shall last, thy own Messiah reigns!
PARTITION