Scripture Verse

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Matthew 9:37

Introduction

portrait
Charles H. Gabriel (1856–1932)

Words & Mu­sic: Charles H. Ga­bri­el, in Pen­te­cost­al Hymns No. 3, by Hen­ry Date (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Hope Pub­lish­ing, 1902) (🔊 pdf nwc). This piece was writ­ten for choirs.

Lyrics

Standing in the market places
All the season through,
Idly saying, Lord, is there
No work that I can do?

O how many loiter,
While the Mas­ter calls anew—
Reapers! reapers!
Who will work today?

Refrain

Lift thine eyes and look upon
The fields that stand
Ripe and rea­dy for
The willing gleaner’s hand,
Rouse ye, O sleepers!
Ye are needed as reapers!
Who will be the first to answer,
Master, here am I.
Far and wide the ripened grain
Is bending low,
In the breezes gently waving
To and fro,
Rouse ye, O sleepers!
Ye are needed as reapers!
And the golden harvest days
Are swiftly passing by.

Ev’ry sheaf you gather
Will become a jewel bright
In the crown you hope to wear
In yonder world of light.
Seek the gems immortal
That are precious in His sight!
Reapers! reapers!
Who will work today?

Refrain

Morning hours are passing,
And the evening follows fast;
Soon the time of reaping
Will for­ev­er­more be past.
Empty handed to the Mas­ter
Will you go at last?
Reapers! reapers!
Who will work today?

Refrain