Be…ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.
Matthew 24:44
Words: T. Alcliffe Teske, 1885. Appeared in On Joyful Wing, edited by John R. Sweney & William J. Kirkpatrick (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: John J. Hood, 1886), number 90.
Music: A. M. Wortman (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Teske or Wortman’s full name, or where to get good photos of them (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Are you ready for His coming, friend?
He is coming by and by;
For He said He would not tarry long
In His Father’s house on high.
Refrain
Are you ready, should He come for you?
Ready now with Him on high to go?
Are you watching, are you praying still?
Are your garments white as snow?
Are you ready for His coming, friend?
Are your garments clean and white?
Will you gladly greet the Bridegroom now?
He may come for you tonight.
Refrain
He will come in all His glory bright,
As upon the mount He stood;
Can you sing the glad hosanna loud,
I am washed in Jesus’ blood
?
Refrain
Oh, the day draws nearer, nearer still,
When the saints He will redeem;
Now the light of morn is breaking fast,
We can see its golden beam.
Refrain
Yes, we’re ready for His coming now,
And we watch, and wait and pray
For the day to dawn in glory bright,
And the night to roll away.
Refrain
We are ready should He come for us,
Ready now in peace to go!
We are watching, and we’re waiting still,
With our robes as white as snow.
Refrain