Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near.
Matthew 3:2
Words: Unknown author, 5th Century (En clara vox redarguit). Translated from Latin to English by Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica (London: James Burns, 1849), pages 46–47.
Music: Merton (Monk) William H. Monk, in The Parish Choir, 1850 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Hark! an awful voice is sounding;
Christ is nigh!
it seems to say,
Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!
Startled by the solemn warning
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.
Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven.
So, when next He comes in glory,
Wrapping all the world in fear,
May He then as our defender,
On the clouds of Heav’n appear.
Honor, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run.