Hark! 'Tis The Watchman's Cry

Alternate Title: Wake, Brethren, Wake!

For Advent

Words: Anonymous, 1859
See Ira D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos (ca. 1890)
The tune in Sacred Songs and Solos is one attributed to George C. Stebbins,
neither of which is the one identified below.

Music: Vigil
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
Watchman
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
Meter: 64 64 67 64

1. Hark, 'tis the watchman's cry,
"Wake, brethren, wake:"
Jesus himself is nigh;
Wake brethren, wake.
Sleep is for sons of night;
Ye are children of the light;
Yours is the glory bright;
Wake, brethren, wake.

2. Call to each wakening band,
"Watch, brethren, watch;"
Clear is our Lord's command,
Watch, brethren, watch.
Be ye as men that wait
Always at their Master's gate,
E'en though he tarry late;
Watch, brethren, watch.

3. Heed we the Steward's call,
"Work, brethren, work:"
There's room enough for all:
Work, brethren, work.
This vineyard of the Lord
Constant labor will afford;
He will your work reward;
Work, brethren, work.

4. Hear we the Shepherd's voice,
"Pray, brethren, pray:"
Would ye his heart rejoice,
Pray, brethren, pray.
Sin calls for ceaseless fear,
Weakness needs the Strong One near.
Long as ye struggle hear,
Pray, brethren, pray.

5. Sound now the final chord,
Praise, brethren, praise:
Thrice holy is the Lord,
Praise, brethren, praise.
What more befits the tongues
Soon to join the angels' songs?
While heaven the note prolongs
Praise, brethren, praise.

Sheet Music "Vigil" by Arthur Patton from Mary Palmer and John Farmer, eds., Church Sunday School Hymn-Book (London: Church of England Sunday-School Institute, 1892), #186.

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