The author of this hymn, Reginald Heber, is best known for his classic Holy, Holy, Holy! In 1811, he wrote a letter to the Christian Observer in which he lamented that hymns seemed to take divine things for granted and promised to rectify this as much as he could. With that letter was attached a copy of this hymn. He revised it in 1827, and the revised version (here) is what is most commonly used today. With another great tune by John B. Dykes (who also wrote the music for Holy, Holy, Holy), this hymn is another classic that deserves to be heard in church!

1. Hosanna to the living Lord!
Hosanna to the Incarnate Word!
To Christ, Creator, Saviour, King,
Let earth, let heav’n, Hosanna sing!
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

2. Hosanna, Lord! Thine angels cry;
Hosanna, Lord! Thy saints reply;
Above, beneath us, and around,
The dread and living swell the sound:
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

3. O Saviour, with protecting care
Return to this Thy house of prayer,
Where we Thy parting promise claim,
Assembled in Thy sacred Name.
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

4. But, chiefest, in our cleansed breast,
Eternal! bid our spirit rest;
And make our secret soul to be
A temple pure, and worthy Thee:
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

5. So in the last and dreadful day,
When earth and heav’n shall pass away,
Thy flock, redeemed from sinful stain,
Shall swell the sound of praise again:
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!