There were sleep­ing vir­gins lying
Just out­side the fes­tal door;
And they mur­mured in their dream­ing,
Time enough, full time, and more,
But the cry rang, Lo, the Bride­groom
Cometh quick­ly to the feast-room!
Go to meet Him—Go!

Refrain

Awake! awake!
Turn from sin, turn from sor­row
Today! to­day!
For there is no to­mor­row!
Your lamps are gone out,
And no oil can you bor­row—
Prepare to meet thy God!

Then they rose and hast­ened forward,
From the thrall of dreams re­leased;
Those with burn­ing lamps to en­ter
With the Bride­groom to the feast;
But the oth­ers stood be­night­ed,
With their emp­ty lamps unligh­ted—
And the door­way shut.

Refrain

Rouse ye from your sleep, O dream­ers,
While the door stands op­en wide,
Fill your lamps, and trim them, light them—
You can have no light be­side.
Then in­to the realms im­mor­tal
You shall enter thro’ the por­tal,
Ere the door is shut.

Refrain