Jerusalem, O Jerusalem

Jerusalem

Leaving Bethlehem, we traveled further to our final destination, Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is the climax of any trip to Israel, and we were finally on our way.  Our bus driver and guide had conspired to surprise us by taking a special route into the city that would allow us to see Jerusalem from an advantageous overlook.

We were not paying much attention, having been driving for a while, when all of a sudden over the intercom on the bus we could hear music playing and the song, the Holy City, wafted through the air.

Last night I lay a-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,
Me thought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.
Me thought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And then me thought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your 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 open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or 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 for evermore!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna for evermore!


It started out quietly and then crescendoed when the chorus repeated, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem!" Every hair on my body stood on end and tears flooded my eyes.  I was surprised by my emotional response, but as I looked around the bus, everyone's eyes were glistening and a sense of awe swept through our group. Even though the song playing on the intercom was new to me, I felt compelled to sing along with everyone else on the bus.  


The guide had cued the music perfectly, for just when the chorus first rang out loudly, we drove up to the overlook which afforded us our first and most beautiful view of the city of Jerusalem - NOT.  


We hurriedly climbed off the bus and ran to the famous "spot" where all good tourists have their picture taken with the Holy City in the background.  To our disappointment, we strained our eyes and scanned the horizon for those telltale architectural features that distinguish this special city.  After that emotional build up, we were devastated to realize that the sandstorm from Egypt completely obscured the view.  You could barely make out any buildings at all.  Dejectedly, we reloaded the bus and headed for our hotel.  Hopefully we would be able to see this beloved ciy tomorrow.


We were privileged to spend our time in Jerusalem at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel, a nice upgrade and the poshest hotel we had stayed in so far.  It had a very convenient location near the Old City of Jerusalem.  Our room was on the eleventh floor and gave us a lovely view of the city below.  I highly recommend it.

Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem