1 Rejoice all ye believers
and let your lights appear
the evening is advancing
and darker night is near
The Bridegroom is arising,
And soon he draweth nigh;
Up, pray, and watch, and wrestle:
At midnight comes the cry.
2 See that your lamps are burning;
Replenish them with oil;
And wait for your salvation,
The end of earthly toil.
The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near,
Go meet him as he cometh,
With Alleluias clear.
3 Ye saints, who here in patience
Your cross and suff'rings bore,
Shall live and reign for ever,
When sorrow is no more:
Around the throne of glory
The Lamb ye shall behold,
In triumph cast before him
Your diadems of gold.
4 Our Hope and Expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, thou Sun so longed for,
O'er this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
We plead, O Lord to see
The day of earth's redemption
That brings us unto thee.
