Behold, the Bridegroom Draweth Nigh

For Christmas

Words: 8^th Century Greek, Ἰδοὺ ὁ Νυμφιὸς ἔρχεται ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τῆς νυκτός,
from the Ferial Midnight Office of the Greek Church

Translation by Robert M. Moorsom, 1901
Compare: Behold the Bridegroom Cometh - Brownlie
Behold the Bridegroom Cometh - Moultrie, with notes.

Source: Robert M. Moorsom, Renderings of Church Hymns from Eastern and Western Office Books (1901)

Music: Geronimo;
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
Meter: 888 886

1. "Behold, the Bridegroom draweth nigh!"
Hear ye the oft-repeated cry?
Go forth into the midnight dim;
for blest are they whom he shall find
with ready heart and watchful mind;
go forth, my soul, to him.

2. "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh by!"
The call is echoed from the sky:
Go forth, ye servants, watch and wait;
the slothful cannot join his train;
no careless one may entrance gain:
awake, my soul, 'tis late.

3. O Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
we cry to thee with one accord;
to us thy pitying mercy show,
that none may reach the door too late,
when thou shalt enter at the gate
and to thy kingdom go.

4. "Behold, the Bridegroom draweth near!"
The warning falls on every ear:
the night of dread shall come to all:
Then, O my soul, renew thy light,
and trim thy lamp that it burn bright;
soon shall I hear the call.

Editor's Note:

This is one of many hymns inspired by the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13. Others include:

• Behold, The Bridegroom Cometh - George F. Root

• An 8^th Century Greek Hymn (Ἰδοὺ ὁ Νυμφιὸς ἔρχεται ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τῆς νυκτός) from the Ferial Midnight Office of the Greek Church, with these translations:

  • Behold the Bridegroom Cometh - Brownlie

  • Behold the Bridegroom Cometh - Moultrie, with notes and music

  • Behold the Bridegroom Draweth Nigh - Moorsom [this carol]

• St. Methodius, The Banquet of the Ten Virgins (8th Century), with these translations:

  • Behold the Bridegroom! Hark The Cry, a cento by Rev. John Brownlie, with notes

  • The Virgins' Song ["The Bridegroom Cometh"], translation by AW Chadfield.

  • The Banquet of the Ten Virgins translation by Rev. William Clark

See: Christmas-tide Hymns from the Eastern Churches.

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols