You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

39. Wake, O wake! With tidings thrilling

1 Wake, O wake! With tidings thrilling
the watchmen all the air are filling,
arise, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight strikes! No more delaying,
'The hour has come!' we hear them saying,
'where are ye all, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes in sight,
raise high your torches bright!'
Alleluia!
The wedding song swells loud and strong:
go forth and join the festal throng.

2 Zion hears the watchmen shouting,
her heart leaps up with joy undoubting,
she stands and waits with eager eyes;
see her Friend from heaven descending,
adorned with truth and grace unending!
Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.
Now come, thou precious Crown,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son!
Alleluia!
Let us prepare to follow there,
where in thy supper we may share.

3 Every soul in thee rejoices;
from earth and from angelic voices
be glory given to thee alone!
Now the gates of pearl receive us,
thy presence never more shall leave us,
we stand with angels round thy throne.
Earth cannot give below
the bliss thou dost bestow.
Alleluia!
Grant us to raise, to length of days,
the triumph-chorus of thy praise.

Text Information
First Line: Wake, O wake! With tidings thrilling
Author: Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608
Translator: F. C. Burkitt, 1864-1935
Meter: 898 898 66 4 88
Language: English
Publication Date: 2000
Scripture: ; ; ; ;
Topic: Advent I: Year A; Advent I: Year C; Christ the King: Year C
Copyright: © SPCK, Holy Trinity church
Notes: Now Public Domain
Tune Information
Name: WACHET AUF
Composer: Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608
Adapter: J. S. Bach, 1685-1750
Harmonizer: J. S. Bach, 1685-1750
Meter: 898 898 66 4 88
Key: C Major



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.