Wake! The Startling Watch-Cry Pealeth

For Advent

Words: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608), 1599
Translation by Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1864, alt.
Cox's original translation: Wake The Startling Watch-Cry Pealeth

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: J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #31, pp. 44-45.

1. Wake! the startling watch-cry pealeth,
While slumber deep each eyelid sealeth;
    Awake! Jerusalem, awake!
midnight's solemn hour is tolling,
And Cherub notes are onward rolling;
    They call on us our part to take:   
    Come forth, ye virgin's wise!
    The Bridegroom comes, arise!
        Alleluia!
        Each lamp be bright,
        With ready light,
    To grace the Marriage-feast to-night!

2. Zion hears the voice that singeth,
With sudden joy her glad heart springeth;
    At once she wakes, she stands arrayed:
See her Light, her Star ascending;
Lo! girt with truth, with mercy blending,
    Her Bridegroom there, so long delayed.
    All hail, God's glorious son!
    All hail, our Joy and Crown!
        Alleluia!
        The joyful call
        We answer all,
    And follow to the Nuptial-hall.

3. Praise to Him who went before us!
Let men and angels join in chorus,
    Let harp and cymbal add their sound.
Twelve the gates, a pearl each portal,
We haste to join the Choir immortal,
    Within the Holy City's bound.
    Ear ne'er heard aught like this,
    Nor heart conceived such bliss.
        Alleluia!
        We raise the song,
        We swell the throng,
    To praise Thee ages all along.

Sheet Music from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #31, pp. 44-45.

Original Melody.
Harmonized by Carl Seeger

Note: The text on which it is based is the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 1 13, and other scriptural passages. For a list of translations, see "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme."

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