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The Closed Door

Representative Text

1 “Behold the Bridegroom comes,” ‘twas said,
“But soon or late we cannot tell;
Within the marriage feast is spread;
If ye are ready, all is well.”

Refrain:
The Bridegroom comes; He will not wait;
There’s not a moment now to spare.
O haste thee, haste thee, ere too late!
He comes! He comes! prepare! prepare!

2 Some heard the call and heeded not,
But laughed the warning voice to scorn,
And in their foolish joys forgot
The Bridegroom and the marriage morn. [Refrain]

3 ‘Twas midnight when the cry was heard,
“Behold the Bridegroom is at hand!”
With deep remorse their hearts were stirred,
And there was weeping in the land. [Refrain]

4 “O wait one moment—one!” thy plead;
“We thought not that you were so nigh.”
“Too late, too late,” the Bridegroom said,
And then the marriage train went by. [Refrain]

5 “L let us in!” they pleaded, but
The Bridegroom heeded not their plea;
The marriage chamber door was shut;
O shall it close on you and me? [Refrain]

Source: Fair as the Morning. Hymns and Tunes for Praise in the Sunday-School #77

Author: Eben E. Rexford

Rexford, Eben Eugene.M (Johnsburg, New York, July 16, 1848--October 16, 1916, Shiocton, Wisconsin). Horticulturalist and editor of a Wisconsin farm journal. Many of his verses were used to fill empty corners of the journal. He also wrote many books on gardening. Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.), Litt.D. Twenty-five years, organist at First Congregational Church, Shiocton. See: Smith, Mary L.P. (1930). Eben E. Rexford; a biographical sketch. Menasha, Wis., George Banta Pub. Co. --Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives and Gabriel, Charles H. (1916). Singers and Their Songs. Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company.… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Behold the bridegroom comes 'twas said
Title: The Closed Door
Author: Eben E. Rexford
Language: English
Refrain First Line: The bridegroom comes, he will not wait
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)
TextAudioPage Scan

Fair as the Morning. Hymns and Tunes for Praise in the Sunday-School #77

Page Scan

Harvest Bells Nos. 1, 2 and 3 #A2

Page Scan

New Harvest Bells #177

Times of Refreshing #d21

Page Scan

Times of Refreshing #134

Times of Refreshing #d21

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