Scripture Verse

Be ye therefore ready…for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:40

Introduction

Words: Mary E. Ser­voss, in Roy­al Gems, by James R. Mur­ray (Cleve­land, Ohio & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: S. Brain­ard’s Sons, 1880), pag­es 176–77.

Music: Ad­am Gei­bel (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Adam Geibel
1855–1933

Lyrics

It may be He’ll come in the morning,
When the sunbeams are greeting the flowers;
And the heart is o’erflowing with gladness,
That thrills through life’s earlier hours.

Refrain

And so I will strive to be ready,
For His coming, whene’er it may be,
For His welcoming smile of approval
Will be dearer than Heaven to me.
For His welcoming smile of approval
Will be dearer than Heaven to me.

It may be He’ll come in the noontime,
When the spirit is burdened with care;
And the souls that should always be waiting,
Forget for the Lord to prepare.

Refrain

It may be He’ll come in the evening,
When the sun has gone down in the west,
When the toiler has ceased from his labor,
And song birds are seeking their nest.

Refrain

It may be He’ll come at life’s midnight,
When the weary soul longs for its rest,
And the years, once so joyous and happy,
With seed-time and harvest have blest.

Refrain