Scripture Verse

Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:1

Introduction

Words: Charles W. Ray, 1897.

Music: Har­vey R. Chris­tie (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ray (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Harvey R. Christie (1848–1925)

Lyrics

illustration
Virgins with Lamps

When in robes of light, and in glo­ry bright,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes;
What a shout shall rise, and with what sur­prise
Shall we see Him come from the part­ing skies?
For His own be­loved who have faith­ful proved,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes.

Refrain

Will you be rea­dy when the Bride­groom comes?
Will you be rea­dy when the Bride­groom comes?
With the dawn of day, with the noon­tide bright,
In the ev­en­ing gray, in the hours of night;
Will you be rea­dy? Will you be rea­dy?
Will you be rea­dy when the Bride­groom comes?

Thro’ all earth and sky, shall be heard the cry
Behold, the Bride­groom comes;
All the earth shall quake, and its pil­lars shake,
And the dead shall from their long slum­bers wake;
While afar and near, all the world shall hear,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes.

Refrain

The arch­an­gel will ev­ery bo­som thrill,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes;
What an hour ’twill be when with bend­ed knee,
The un­saved the King in His beau­ty see!
And with dire dis­may, and des­pair shall say,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes.

Refrain