Dear Lord, How Shall We Greet You?

Dear Lord, How Shall We Greet You?

Text: John A. Dalles, July 25, 2006
Tune: INNSBRUCK (by Heinrich Isaac)
Meter: 7.7.6.7.7.8.

Dear Lord, how shall we greet you?
And where, Lord, will we meet you?
Upon the narrow way?
Where your good word shall guide us,
And you will walk beside us,
Dear Lord, come walk with us this day!

Dear Lord, how shall we greet you
And where Lord will we meet you?
On lofty mountains high?
Where we shall see your glory,
And view creation’s story,
Dear Lord, come lift us to the sky!

Dear Lord, how shall we greet you?
And where, Lord, will we meet you?
Amid the city’s din?
Where humble ones, distressing,
Cry for our hand of blessing,
Dear Lord, the lost ones let us win!

Dear Lord, how shall we greet you?
And where, Lord will we meet you?
Where gilded treasures call?
Your love is purer, precious,
And all our life, has blessed us,
Dear Lord, O may we give our all!

Dear Lord, how shall we greet you?
And where, Lord, will we meet you?
If not, O Lord, today?
Our hearts revive, acquire,
For life and service higher,
Dear Lord, upon Your upward way!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles.

Inspired by the city of Innsbruck for which the tune is also named: the first verse, its main street in the Aldstat, the second, the high mountain views, the third, the people, the fourth, the Golden Roof, and the last, its freshness and beauty. Motivated by a visit there in the summer of 2006.