Watchers, let your lights be burning

Watchers, let your lights be burning,
Soon the Bridegroom will be here;
List! the footsteps now returning,
Rise to greet Him, He is near;
See your lamps are trimmed and burning,
For the Lord at His returning.

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Wake, awake, no time for sleeping,
Though the midnight hour be dark;
Faithfully your vigil keeping,
You shall greet Him;--watchers, hark!
Footsteps tell your Lord's returning,
See your lamps are trimmed and burning.

Ah, the shame when He appeareth,--
Sleeping watchers, flickering light;
Ah, the sorrow when He neareth,
In the middle of the night;--
Drowsy, in the dark reclining,
While a myriad lamps are shining.

Ah, my soul, bestir, awake thee,
Day is passing, soon 'tis night;
If the midnight hour o'ertake thee,
Will thy lamp send forth its light?
Wake, awake, thy Lord returneth,
See thy lamp is trimmed, and burneth.