97. Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

You have access to this FlexScore.
Download:
Are parts of this score outside of your desired range? Try transposing this FlexScore.
General Settings
Stanza Selection
Voice Selection
Text size:
Music size:
Transpose (Half Steps):
Capo:
Contacting server...
Contacting server...
Questions? Check out the FAQ

A separate copy of this score must be purchased for each choir member. If this score will be projected or included in a bulletin, usage must be reported to a licensing agent (e.g. CCLI, OneLicense, etc).

This is a preview of your FlexScore.

1 Watchman, tell us of the night,
what its signs of promise are.
Traveler, what a wondrous sight:
see that glory-beaming star.
Watchman, does its beauteous ray
news of joy or hope foretell?
Traveler, yes; it brings the day,
promised day of Israel.

2 Watchman, tell us of the night;
higher yet that star ascends.
Traveler, blessedness and light,
peace and truth its course portends.
Watchman, will its beams alone
gild the spot that gave them birth?
Traveler, ages are its own;
see, it bursts o’er all the earth.

3 Watchman, tell us of the night,
for the morning seems to dawn.
Traveler, shadows take their flight;
doubt and terror are withdrawn.
Watchman, you may go your way;
hasten to your quiet home.
Traveler, we rejoice today,
for Emmanuel has come!

Text Information
First Line: Watchman, tell us of the night
Title: Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
Author: John Bowring (1825, alt.)
Meter: 7.7.7.7.D
Language: English
Publication Date: 2013
Scripture: ; ; ; ;
Topic: Jesus Christ: Advent
Tune Information
Name: ABERYSTWYTH
Composer: Joseph Parry (1876)
Meter: 7.7.7.7.D
Key: d minor
Notes: *May be sung antiphonally.


Text Information:

This unusual dialogue hymn alternates between the voice of a traveler and that of a watchman, setting up an exchange that creates parallels between the coming of dawn and the birth of Christ.

Tune Information:

The tune is named for a Welsh town whose name means “mouth of the bending river.”


Media
Audio recording: Audio (MP3)
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us