Ere that so­lemn hour of doom,
When the Son of man shall come,
Bidding quick and bid­ding dead
Rise to meet their ris­en Head,
Church of Je­sus, hear the Word
Of thine own eter­nal Lord.

Virgins ten with joy­ous feet
Went the Bride­groom forth to meet;
Wise with hea­ven­ly wis­dom, five
Kept with oil their lamps alive;
Five with earth-born fol­ly dim
Scorned with oil their lamps to trim.

While the Bride­groom yet de­layed,
Slumber bowed each vir­gin head;
Sudden rose the mid­night cry—
Lo, the Bride­groom draw­eth nigh!
Leapt to life that vir­gin train,
Trimmed their dy­ing lamps amain.

Vainly now for oil ye cry,
Foolish vir­gins, hence, and buy;
Fast thy speed—when lo! the door
Closes on them ev­er­more:
Stern the voice which stuns each heart,
Hence, I know you not, de­part.

Church of Je­sus, rise and pray,
Dark that hour, and nigh that day;
Woe, ye hy­po­crites, to you,
Trim your saints, your lamps anew;
For the Bride­groom watch and wait,
Jesus Christ is at the gate.