Lyrics:

1. On this day of joy and gladness,
Lord, we praise thy holy name;
In this sacred place of worship,
We thy glories loud proclaim!

(Chorus)
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Bright and clear our voices ring,
Singing songs of exultation
To our Maker, Lord, and King!

2. Open wide the fount of Zion;
Let her richest blessings flow
To the Saints who nobly serve thee
In the gospel here below.

3. May we labor in the kingdom–
By the prophets long foretold–
Where the children of the promise
Shall be gathered in the fold.

Text and music: Leroy J. Robertson, 1896-1971
(c) 1980 IRI

-History: (Source: Wikipedia)

Written By: Leroy J Robertson

Music By: Leroy J Robertson

Leroy Robertson (December 21, 1896 – July 25, 1971) was an American composer and music educator.

Robertson was born in Fountain Green, Utah. One of his earliest instructors was Anthony C. Lund.^[1] He studied violin, composition, and public school music at the New England Conservatory and in Europe. He received an MA degree from the University of Utah and a Ph.D from the University of Southern California. He was chairman of the music department atBrigham Young University from 1925 to 1948 and at the University of Utah from 1948 to 1962.

Robertson was instrumental in the promotion of the Utah Symphony and of classical music in Salt Lake City.

He is best known for his Oratorio from the Book of Mormon. The setting of the Lord’s Prayer from that oratorio was recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and released as a 45 single on the flip side of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, which hit the top 50 charts.

Amongst Robertson’s works in the 1948 LDS hymnal was the music for “Up! Arose Thee, O Beautiful Zion”, with words by Emily H. Woodmansee.^[2]

In the 1985 edition of the LDS hymnal there is one hymn with words by Robertson and eight hymns for which he wrote the music. “On This Day of Joy and Gladness” (hymn #64) has both words and music by Robertson, while “Let Earth’s Inhabitants Rejoice” (hymn #53), “”Great King of Heaven” (hymn #63), “God of Our Fathers, Know of Old” (hymn #80), “I’m A Pilgrim, I’m A Stranger” (hymn #121), “Upon The Cross Of Calvary” (hymn #184), “We Love Thy House, Oh God” (hymn #247) and “Go Ye Messengers of Glory” (hymn #262) have music by Robertson.