The Hymnal ‎#61

61. Rejoice, rejoice, believers!

1 Rejoice, rejoice, believers!
And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing,
And darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising,
And soon He will draw nigh;
Up! pray and watch and wrestle!
At midnight comes the cry.

2 See that your lights are burning;
Replenish them with oil;
Look now for your salvation,
The end of sin and toil.
The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near,
Go meet Him as He cometh,
With Alleluias clear.

3 O wise and holy virgins,
Now raise your voices higher,
Until in songs of triumph
Ye meet the angel choir.
The marriage-feast is waiting,
The gates wide open stand;
Up, up, ye heirs of glory!
The Bridegroom is at hand.

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 days of earth's redemption,
And ever be with Thee!

Amem.

Text Information

• First Line: Rejoice, rejoice, believers!
• Author: Laurentius Laurenti (1700)
• Translator: Sarah B. Findlater (1854)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1916
• Topic: Advent; Processional

Tune Information

• Name: LANCASHIRE
• Composer: Henry Smart (1836)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Incipit: 55346 53114 56255
• Key: D♭ Major