Scripture Verse

At midnight there was a shout, Look! The Bridegroom! Go out to meet Him. Matthew 25:6

Introduction

portrait
Peter P. Bilhorn
1865–1936

Words: Pe­ter P. Bil­horn, in Hymns of the Se­cond Com­ing of Our Lord Je­sus Christ (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Bil­horn Bro­thers, 1911), num­ber 147, alt.

Music: John Brown’s Bo­dy, pos­si­bly by John Will­iam Stef­fe (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Are you ready for the Bridegroom?
He may come this very night.
Are your lamps all trimmed and burning,
Are your garments pure and white?
There will be no time for trading
When the Church shall take her flight
Her Lord and King to meet.

Refrain

O, the blessèd time of greeting,
O, the blessèd time of meeting;
O, the blessèd time of greeting,
When we our Lord shall meet.

For the Lord Himself shall then descend
From Heaven with a shout;
When He comes in all His glory
Satan’s hosts He’ll put to rout!
Then the Bride shall go to meet Him,
Sinners then no more shall doubt;
That Christ is Lord and King.

Refrain

Every eye shall then behold Him,
Every knee before Him bow;
Every tongue shall then confess Him:
Brethren, we exhort you now;
Let the ransomed mount on joyful wings
And trumpets loudly blow,
All hail the King of kings.

Refrain

Come, Lord Jesus, O come quickly,
Come and set Thy people free;
Come in glory, might and power,
Come, we look and long for Thee;
Come, for all things now are ready,
Usher in the jubilee,
When we our King shall see.

Refrain