Scripture Verse

Behold, the bridegroom comes. Matthew 25:6

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: John M. Whyte, in The Fin­est of the heat, by George D. El­der­kin (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Ro­bert R. Mc­Cabe, 1890), num­ber 191 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

We shall hear a voice, an im­mor­tal voice,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes!
At the mid­night watch, in the dark­ness deep,
When across our souls hea­vy slum­bers creep,
We shall hear that voice, that im­mor­tal voice,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes!

Refrain

Oh, be rea­dy when the Bride­groom comes!
Oh, be rea­dy when the Bride­groom comes!
At the noon­tide, in the ev­en­ing,
At the mid­night, in the morn­ing,
Oh, be rea­dy, Oh, be rea­dy,
Oh, be rea­dy when the Bride­groom comes!

When the voice shall cry, Go ye forth to­night,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes!

Then the pulse will cease, and the heart grow still,
And the eyes will close, and the blood grow chill,
And the soul will take its eter­nal flight,
For lo, the Bride­groom comes!

Refrain

Brother, trim your lamp, have it burn­ing bright,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes!
He will sure­ly come, though He seem­eth late,
Be at peace with Him, nor a mo­ment wait,
You will hear the cry ere the morn­ing light,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes!

Refrain

Hast thou made a vow? hast­en ye to pay,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes!
For when He has come, and hath closed the door,
And ye stand and pray, Op­en, we im­plore,
It will be too late—pay your vows to­day,
Behold, the Bride­groom comes!

Refrain