Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Matthew 25:6
Words: J. G. B., 1900.
Music: J. Lincoln Hall (🔊 pdf nwc). Some hymnals show the composer as Maurice Clifton, Hall’s pseudonym.
If you know the author’s name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
Will your lamps be burning bright,
Will your robes be pure and white,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by?
Refrain
Oh be ready! Oh be ready!
Ready when the Bridegroom comes;
Oh be ready! Oh be ready!
Ready when the Bridegroom comes.
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
Oh be ready for that day,
With your sins all washed away,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by.
Refrain
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
Will your wearied heart rejoice
At the sound of Jesus’ voice,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by?
Refrain
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
Will the sorrows of the past
All be changed to joy at last
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by?
Refrain
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
When the Lord shall call His own,
Can you stand before the throne,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by?
Refrain
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by,
Will you join the ransomed host,
Or be found among the lost,
When the Bridegroom cometh by and by?
Refrain