Our friends are ga­ther­ing, one by one,
To meet the bless­èd Lord;
How soon this earth­ly jour­ney’s done,
And then the rich re­ward.

Refrain

Wait, pa­tient­ly wait,
Wait, pa­tient­ly wait;
Wait for His com­ing,
Be it ear­ly, be it late.

What won­drous sounds the earth shall greet,
When comes the mid­night cry:
The Lord is come! go out to meet
The Bride­groom pass­ing by.

Refrain

With lamps well trimmed, we’ll watch and wait,
All rea­dy for that day;
And come He ear­ly, come He late,
We’ll meet Him on the way.

Refrain

And then, the ran­somed hosts shall join
Around the great white throne;
All praise and glo­ry shall be Thine,
Thou Lord and King alone.

Refrain