Lyrics
1. Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear.
The evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising,
and soon He draweth nigh.
Up, pray, and watch, and wrestle:
At midnight comes the cry.
2. The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near;
Go meet Him as He cometh,
With hallelujahs clear.
The marriage-feast is waiting,
The gates wide open stand;
Up, up, ye heirs of glory;
The Bridegroom is at hand!
3. See that your lamps are burning;
replenish them with oil.
And wait for your salvation,
the end of earthly toil.
The watchers on the mountain
proclaim the Bridegroom near.
Go meet Him as He cometh,
with alleluias clear.
4. O wise and holy virgins,
now raise your voices higher,
Until in songs of triumph
ye meet the angel choir.
The marriage feast is waiting,
the gates wide open stand;
Rise up, ye heirs of glory,
the Bridegroom is at hand.
5. Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear!
Arise, Thou Sun so longed for,
over this benighted sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth’s redemption
that brings us unto Thee.
6. Ye saints, who here in patience
your cross and sufferings bore,
Shall live and reign forever,
when sorrow is no more.
Around the throne of glory
the Lamb ye shall behold;
In triumph cast before Him
your diadems of gold!
7. **alt verses***
8. See that you lamps are burning,
replenish them with oil;
look now for your salvation,
the end of sin and toil.
The marriage-feast is waiting,
the gates wide open stand;
rise up, ye heirs of glory,
the Bride-groom is at hand!
9. Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, thou Sun so longed for,
above this darkened sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption,
and ever be with thee!