Scripture Verse

They came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He said to His disciples, Sit here, while I pray. Mark 14:32

Introduction

illustration
Christ at Gethsemane
Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–1890)

Words: John W. Way­land, in Life Songs, ed­it­ed by Sam­uel F. Coff­man & John D. Brunk (Scott­dale, Penn­syl­van­ia: Men­non­ite Pub­lish­ing House, 1916), num­ber 18.

Music: Lar­vot­to John D. Brunk, 1916 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
John D. Brunk (1872–1926)

Lyrics

The world in silence waits around,
The pendant branches sway,
While, in the shadows more profound,
The Mas­ter kneels to pray.

The hours of night go flying on,
Fierce dangers haste the day;
’Tis now the Mas­ter seeks His own—
They need to watch and pray.

The foes of right­eous­ness awake,
They hither press their way,
Their clamors on the silence break—
Awake, ye saints, and pray!

’Tis e’er in dark Geth­se­ma­ne
The Mas­ter strives alone,
Yet ever comes with tender care
To wake and warn His own.