"Sleepers, wake!”
the watch cry
pealeth,
While slumber deep
each eyelid sealeth:
Awake, Jerusalem,
awake!
Midnight’s solemn
hour is tolling,
And seraph-notes are
onward rolling;
They call on us our
part to take.
Come forth, ye
virgins wise:
The Bridegroom
comes, arise!
Alleluia! Each lamp
be bright with ready
light
To grace the
marriage feast
tonight.
Zion
hears the voice that
singeth
With sudden joy her
glad heart springeth,
At once she wakes,
she stands arrayed:
Her Light is come,
her Star ascending,
Lo, girt with truth,
with mercy blending,
Her Bridegroom
there, so long
delayed.
All hail! God’s
glorious Son,
All hail! our joy
and crown,
Alleluia! The joyful
call we answer all,
And follow to the
bridal hall.
Praise to Him Who
goes before us!
Let men and angels
join in chorus,
Let harp and cymbal
add their sound.
Twelve the gates, a
pearl each portal:
We haste to join the
choir immortal
Within the Holy
City’s bound.
Ear ne’er heard
aught like this,
Nor heart conceived
such bliss.
Alleluia! We raise
the song, we swell
the throng,
To praise Thee ages
all along.