1 Rejoice! Rejoice, believers,
And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing
And darker night is near.
The Lord is now arising
And soon he will draw nigh;
Up, watch in expectation!
At midnight comes the cry.
2 See that your lamps are burning,
replenish them with oil;
look now for your salvation,
the end of sin and toil.
The watchers on the mountain
proclaim the Lord is near.
Go meet him as he comes now
with alleluias clear.
3 All you who wait his coming,
rehearse the joyful song,
which we shall sing in glory
with all the angel throng.
The holy feast is waiting,
the gates wide open stand.
Rise up, you heirs of glory!
The Master is at hand.
4 Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, O Sun so longed for,
above this darkened sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth's redemption
that sets your people free!
