Ages ago in the eastern lands,
They watched for Him,
Listening for His chariot wheels,
As the days grew dim,
And wondered the year He would come again,
From Olivet;
With welcoming words on their lips they watched,
But He tarries yet.

Refrain

He tarries yet, He tarries yet,
With welcoming words on their lips they watched,
But He tarries yet.

Every year across winter snows,
With wistful eyes,
Eager disciples have watched for Him,
Coming from the skies;
And every year under summer suns,
They have sung His praise,
And cried for Him from their yearning hearts,
But He still delays.

Refrain

Sometimes we look at the fleeting clouds,
And in fancy trace
Bright shining robes, and the feet of brass,
And His glorious face;
And holding our breath when the gleaming comes,
We can almost hear
The soul thrilling sound of His blessèd voice,
This waiting time.

Refrain

Take courage, brothers—we have His word,
And He will not fail;
Let us be patient and watch and wait,
’Till our prayers prevail:
He surely will come as He said He would,
In a light sublime,
And we shall forget as we see His face,
This waiting time.

This waiting time, this waiting time,
And we shall forget as we see His face,
This waiting time.