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!