" Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,"
Oh! hear the midnight cry,
Awake! awake! why slumber?
The coming Lord is nigh.
Go forth again to meet Him,
And trim your lamps anew;
Oh! let your lights be burning,
He comes to call for you.
" Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,"
The midnight watch is past,
In grace, He long has tarried,
But now He comes at last;
Awake! awake! behold Him!
"The bright and morning Star; "
He comes His saints to gather
From east, and west, afar.
" Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,"
And darkest hours give place
To one long day of glory-
There to behold His face;
The songs which through the midnight
Your hearts did often raise,
Shall find their full expression
In ceaseless bursts of praise.
" Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,"
Oh, watch for His return;
Kept in His love and patience,
Each heart for Him doth burn
" Behold, I'm coming quickly,"
Finds thus an echoing chord, '
(With longing, deep desire)
" E'en so, come Jesus, Lord."
" Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,"
The morning streaks the sky,
Oh, haste thee to be ready,
The " shout" and "trump "are nigh;
Oh, trim your lamps, ye virgins,
Your joys shall soon begin:
" Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,"
The "wise " shall enter in.