Scripture Verse

Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9

Introduction

portrait
Ina D. Ogdon (1872–1964)

Words: Ina D. Og­don, in Songs of Re­vi­val Pow­er, ed­it­ed by Ed­mund Lo­renz (Day­ton, Ohio: Lo­renz & Com­pa­ny, 1907), num­ber 4.

Music: Ed­mund S. Lo­renz (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Edmund S. Lorenz (1854–1942)

Background

The theme of ab­sent friends and loved ones ech­oes the Am­er­ican ci­vil war bal­lad The Va­cant Chair, by Hen­ry S. Wash­burn.

Washburn’s song was enor­mous­ly po­pu­lar in the late 1800s, and ma­ny ci­vil war vet­er­ans were liv­ing in 1907, when Og­don’s words no doubt brought the bal­lad to mind.

The Va­cant Chair was still re­mem­bered ev­en a cen­tu­ry af­ter the war: It ap­peared in the Am­er­ican tel­e­vi­sion pro­gram The An­dy Grif­fith Show on Feb­ru­ary 17, 1964, with sher­iff Andy Tay­lor (An­dy Grif­fith) and de­pu­ty Bar­ney Fife (Don Knotts) sing­ing it in the town jail.

Lyrics

Hear the gracious invitation,
From the royal house of God,
Unto all of every nation,
Signed and sealed by Je­sus’ blood;
Lo! the wedding feast is waiting,
Let us hasten to prepare;
Let us waste no time debating,
Let there be no vacant chair.

Refrain

Let there be no vacant chair!
Let us one and all be there!
Lo! the wedding feast is rea­dy,
Let there be no vacant chair.

Let us robe in snowy whiteness
For that great and happy day;
Tune our hearts to songs of brightness,
Bid our troubles flee away;
There shall nevermore be sorrow,
There shall nevermore be night;
At the festal board tomorrow,
Shall be naught but pure delight.

Refrain

Many friends are there to meet us
In redeemed, immortal state;
They are pressing forth to greet us,
As we’re sweeping thro’ the gate;
Hear the loving Fa­ther pleading,
Lo! the feast awaits us there;
Oh, His blessèd summons heeding,
Let there be no vacant chair.

Refrain