Wake, Oh Wake; Around Are Flying

For Christmas

Words: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Philipp Nicoli
Translation by Arthur T. Russell

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: Tune 114. "Wachet auf."

Source: Arthur T. Russell, ed., Psalms and Hymns (Cambridge: John Deighton, 1851), #268.

1. Wake, oh wake; around are flying
Glad sounds of angel-armies crying,
     Awake, awake, Jerusalem!
Cheer'd by those seraphic voices,
The solemn midnight hour rejoices:
     Ye virgin-train, your Lord proclaim;
Haste, with your lamps arise;
He soon shall glad your eyes.
     Hallelujah!
Yourselves array--for this blest day:
The Bridegroom met upon His way.

2. Sion hears heaven's watchmen singing:
Her inmost heart with joy is springing;
     She wakes, and swift pursues her way.
Lo! He comes! her Lord all glorious
In might of grace, -- in truth victorious!
     Now beams her star, now dawns her day!
Come, Jesu, gracious Lord;
Come, Son of God, adored;
     Hallelujah!
Oh grant that we -- Thy guests may be,
And keep the feast in heaven with Thee.

Sheet Music "Wachet auf" from Dr. F. Layriz, Kern des Deutschen Kirchengesangs (Nordlingen, 1850), #114, p. 59.

Editor's Note:

According to Dr. John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, this is a recast, by A. T. Russell, not for the better, from his 1848 translation, Wake, Arise! The Call Obeying. with stanza 3 being omitted. This translation also appeared in The New Zealand Hymnal, 1872.

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