Awake, The Voice Is Crying

For Advent

Words: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Philipp Nicolai, 1598-9
Translation by Anonymous

Inspired by the Parable of the Ten Virgins: Matthew 25: 1-13
Includes notes and a listing of some of the many hymns and carols inspired by this Parable.

Source: John Baptist Walsh, ed., Lyra Davidica (London, J. Walsh, J. Hare, and P. Randal, 1708), pp. 73-74.
Full title: Lyra Davidica: Or, A Collection of Divine Songs and Hymns : Partly New Composed, partly Translated from the High-German, and Latin Hymns: And set to easy and pleasant Tunes, for more General Use ; The Musick Engrav'd on Copper plates.
J. Walsh was at the Harp and Hobey in Katherine-Street, J. Hare was at instrument maker at the Golden Viol and Flute in Cornhill, and P. Randal was at the Violin and Lute shop by Pauls-grave Court.

1. Awake ye voice is crying
O' the watchmen from their towers espying,
O wake O city of Jerusalem.
'Tis midnight cry surrounding
While clear and shrill ye voice is sounding,
Haste virgins decked with Wisdom's sacred gem.
Now comes your spouse & king,
Love's burning lamps now bring;
Hallleluja;
Get ready & dressed for the nuptial feast
And haste to welcome down your Lordly guest.

2. Fair Sions Watch are Singing,
Her Heart for Joy and Triumph springing.
She wakes, she rises streight, and hasts away,
Her Joy comes down all Glorious;
With Grace, and Truth, and Might Victorious.
Her Morning dawns, her Star proclaims the Day
Come now Celestial Crown,
Lord Jesu, God's dear Son
Hosanna!
Now, now we enter all the Court Royal,
And Celebrate the Nuptial Festival.

3. Thy Glory may be sounding
From Men and Angels Tongues resounding,
With Harps & Cymbals sweet harmonious Tone,
Salem's twelve * Pearls unfolding;
We equal Seats with Angels holding
In Love-linkt Wreaths encircling thy bright Throne
No Eye has ever seen,
Nor ever heard has been,
Such Light, such joy,
For this our Praises flow, Jo! Jo!
And love's Eternal Jubil-Trumpets blow.

Footnote:

*Gates of Pearl. Rev. 21.21.

The American Standard Version of The Bible (1901) gives:

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Sheet Music from Lyra Davidica (1708), pp. 73-74.

 

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