Marilyn's Musings
March 31, 2026
As we continue with Holy Week, I’d like to share a song I remember my parents singing and a choir singing on Easter morning when we went to church. I love the story this song tells. “The Holy City” is a hymn that describes a dream that the singer had. It starts with the singer hearing the voices of children singing that sounded like angels’ voices. The children are singing “Hosanna” to the king but then things change. The scene turns into a somber and dark one, the sun fades away and the shadow of a cross is on a hill in the distance. This is in reference to the crucifixion of Jesus. But then…there is another scene change…it shows a “holy city beside the tideless sea”. “The light of God illuminates the streets and the gates are open for all to come in. The city will last forever…….”
Sing along with it or just enjoy the music. Think of what this means as we go through Holy Week. We can celebrate “The Last Supper” with communion with fellow worshipers on Maundy Thursday and on Good Friday observe the Service of the Shadows quietly and thoughtfully. We can travel this week with Jesus and follow the verses in this beautiful hymn and wake up Easter morning to a new Jerusalem and a new world and celebrate.
“The Holy City”
Last night as I lay sleeping
There came a dream so fair
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there
I heard the children singing
And ever as they sang
I thought the voice of angels
From heav'n in answer rang
I thought the voice of angels
From heav'n in answer rang
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Lift up your gates and sing
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna to our King
And then I thought my dream was changed
The streets no longer rang
Hushed were the glad hosannas
The little children sang
And the sun grew dark with mystery
The morn was cold and chill
As a shadow of a cross arose
Upon the lonely hill
As a shadow of a cross arose
Upon that lonely hill
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Hark how the angels sing
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna to our King
And once again the scene was changed
New earth there seemed to be
I saw the holy city
Beside the tideless sea
The light of God was on its streets
The gates were opened wide
And all who would might enter
And no one was denied
No need of moon or stars by night
Nor sun to shine by day
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Sing for the night is o'er
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna forevermore
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna forevermore
https://youtu.be/hbf8aQ1JuiA?si=RVt1TXssU_Y_QmJq
