Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying

Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying

Text written in 1599 by Philip Nicolai (1556-1608), translated in 1858 by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

Sung to WACHET AUF, composed in 1599 by Philip Nicolai, harmonized by J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Isaiah 21:12 The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.”

Matthew 25:6, 7  At midnight the cry rang out: "Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

V. 1 Wake, awake, for night is flying,

The watchmen on the heights are crying,

Awake, Jerusalem, arise!

Midnight's solemn hour is tolling,

His chariot wheels are nearer rolling, 

He comes; prepare, ye virgins wise.

Rise up, with willing feet

Go forth, the Bridegroom meet;

Alleluia!

Bear through the night your well-trimmed light,

Speed forth to join the marriage rite.

Psalm 97:8 Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad

because of your judgments, Lord.

V. 2 Zion hears the watchmen singing,

Her heart with deep delight is springing,

She wakes, she rises from her gloom;

Forth her Bridegroom comes, all-glorious,

In grace arrayed, by truth victorious;

Her star is risen, her Light is come!

All hail, incarnate Lord,

Our crown, and our reward!

Alleluia!

We haste along, in pomp of song,

And gladsome join the marriage throng.

1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him....

Revelation 21:2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 

V. 3 Lamb of God, the heavens adore Thee,

And men and angels sing before Thee,

With harp and cymbal's clearest tone.

By the pearly gates in wonder

We stand, and swell the voice of thunder,

That echoes round Thy dazzling throne.

No vision ever brought,

No ear hath ever caught,

Such bliss and joy;

We raise the song, we swell the throng,

To praise Thee ages all along.