Up! Awake! His Summons Hurried

For Advent

Words: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608), 1599
Translation by James Drummond Burns

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.

Music: "Nach," Hans Sachs (1494-1576),
adapted by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608)
arr. and harm. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: Irr.

Source: Rev. James Drummond Burns, The Heavenly Jerusalem; or, Glimpses Within The Gates (Edinburgh: T. Nelson and Sons, 1856), pp. 129-130.

"Behold, The Bridegroom Cometh"

1. "Up, awake!" his summons hurried
The watcher shouts high on the turret,
"Thy Lord, O Zion, comes to thee!"
Through the midnight shadows falling,
Hark! clear and loud the voice is calling,
"Ye prudent virgins, where are ye !
"Rejoice, the Bridegroom's near!
"Up, let your lamps shine clear.
........"Halleluiah!
....."Make no delay,
....."In fair array
"Go forth to meet Him on the way!"

2. Zion hears the watchers singing,
And up her heart for joy is springing,
She stands, and looks with watchful eyes.
Lo! He comes from heaven glorious!
In mercy strong, in truth victorious,
The Morning-Star breaks through the skies.
"Now come, our joy and crown,
"Lord Jesus, to thine own!"
........Hosanna!
.....We enter all
.....The joyous hall,
And hold with him the festival

Glory be to Thee ascending,
From tongues of men and angels blending
With cymbals and the harp's clear tone!
Thy city's pearly gates before us
Stand open, and we join the chorus
Of angels high before Thy throne.
...No eye bath seen the throng,
...No ear has heard the song.
..........O the glory!
.....There we shall be,
.....And sing to Thee
Praises everlastingly!

Editor's Note:

Also occurs in Andrew Cameron, The Family Treasury (London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1860), p. 84, and his Memoir and Remains of the Rev. James D. Burns, M.A. of Hampstead (London: J. Nisbet, 1869), p. 234-235.

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