There’s a Voice in the Wilderness

Advent hymn: There’s a Voice in the Wilderness

I didn't know this song is so Canadian:

"This hymn commemorates the 1925 union of the Methodist, Congregational and a large portion of the Presbyterian church in Canada into The United Church of Canada. Author James Lewis Milligan, a journalist and Methodist lay preacher, was director of public relations for the uniting churches between 1922 and 1925. The tune, ASCENSION (BANCROFT), was composed in 1933 as a setting for this text by Henry Hugh Bancroft, organist and choirmaster of All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Edmonton, for the Anglican Book of Common Praise."

Lyrics:
There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places,
where the Lord our God may go!

O Zion, give voice to good tidings,
ascend to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
the coming of their King.
The works of pride all perish,
like flowers they shall decay;
the power and pomp of nations
shall pass like a dream away.

But your word, O God, is faithful,
your arm, O Lord, is strong;
you stand in the midst of nations,
and you will right the wrong.
You will feed your flock like a shepherd,
and fold the lambs to your breast;
in pastures of peace you’ll lead them,
and give to the weary rest.

There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places,
where the Lord our God may go!