Scripture Verse

At midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Matthew 25:6

Introduction

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Fanny Crosby (1820–1915)

Words: Fan­ny Cros­by, in The Ark of Praise, by John Swe­ney & Will­iam J. Kirk­pat­rick (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: John J. Hood, 1882), num­ber 52.

Music: John R. Swe­ney (🔊 pdf nwc).

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John R. Sweney (1837–1899)

Lyrics

Slumber not, slumber not,
For the time flies apace—
The time for the Bridegroom is near;
Let us watch, let us wait,
With a firm, trusting heart,
Be rea­dy the summons to hear.
O provide for our lamps,
Let your vessels be filled
With grace He will freely supply;
Then, with rapture complete,
Our belovèd we shall meet,
When midnight shall echo the cry.

Refrain

Slumber not, slumber not,
For the time flies apace—
The time for the Bridegroom is near;
Let us watch, let us wait,
With a firm, trusting heart,
Be rea­dy the summons to hear.

Slumber not, slumber not,
Tho’ He tarry awhile,
Not long will He linger away;
He has left His commands
To the faithful and wise,
Then let us in meekness obey.
Yes, the Bridegroom will come
To His long waiting bride,
And wipe every tear from her eye;
Go ye forth may we hear,
And with joy, not with fear,
When midnight shall echo the cry.

Refrain

Slumber not, slumber not,
For the moments are brief;
O think of their anguish of heart
Who will come, but too late,
To the door of the feast,
And hear from the Bridegroom, Depart.
Let our lamps be well filled
And their luster be seen
When He to the marriage draws nigh,
Then our souls will rejoice
At the sound of His voice,
When midnight shall echo the cry.

Refrain