“The Holy City” by Stephen Adams (the pen name of composer Michael Maybrick) is a Victorian religious ballad published in 1892, with:
Lyrics by Frederic Weatherly It became one of the most commercially successful sacred songs in the English‑speaking world around the turn of the 20th century. The song has three verses, each depicting a different biblical scene: Palm Sunday — Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem Good Friday — The crucifixion The New Jerusalem — A prophetic vision of universal peace (inspired by Isaiah 2:4 and 11:6–9)
It’s written as a dream narrative, beginning with the famous opening line “Last night I lay a-sleeping…”.
