1 We saw thee not when thou didst come
To this poor world of sin and death;
Nor yet beheld thy cottage home,
In that despised Nazareth;
But we believe thy footsteps trod
Its streets and plains, thou Son of God;
But we believe thy footsteps trod
Its streets and plains, thou Son of God.

2 We saw thee not when lifted high
Amid that wild and savage crew;
Nor heard we that imploring cry,
"Forgive, they know not what they do!"
But we believe the deed was done,
That shook the earth and veiled the sun;
But we believe the deed was done,
That shook the earth and veiled the sun.

3 We gazed not in the open tomb
Where once thy mangled body lay;
Nor saw thee in that "upper room,"
Nor met thee on the open way;
But we believe that angels said,
"Why seek the living with the dead?"
But we believe that angels said,
"Why seek the living with the dead?"

4 We walked not with the chosen few
Who saw thee from the earth ascend;
Who raised to heaven their wondering view,
Then low to earth all prostrate bend;
But we believe that human eyes
Beheld that journey to the skies;
But we believe that human eyes
Beheld that journey to the skies.