Sleepers Wake, A Voice Astounds Us – Revised text by Carl P. Daw Jr.
This hymn’s text was originally about Christ’s coming at the end times juxtaposed with Christ’s coming in Advent. Episcopal priest and hymn writer Carl P. Daw Jr. has modified the text to make it less apocalyptic, though it still ties into the same parable of the virgins from Matthew 25 (text below). This hymn is the basis for Bach’s famous Organ piece “Watchet Auf.”
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“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. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
“Sleepers, wake!” A voice astounds us; the shout of rampart guards surrounds us:
“Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” Midnight’s peace their cry has broken,
their urgent summons clearly spoken: “The time has come, O maidens wise!
Rise up, and give us light; the Bridegroom is in sight. Alleluia!
Your lamps prepare and hasten there, that you the wedding feast may share.”
[Zion hears the watchmen singing; her heart with joyful hope is springing;
she wakes and hurries through the night. Forth he comes, her Bridegroom glorious
in strength of grace, in truth victorious: her star is risen, her light grows bright.
Now come, most worthy Lord, God’s Son, incarnate Word, Alleluia!
We follow all and heed your call to come into the banquet hall.]
Lamb of God, the heavens adore you; let saints and angels sing before you,
as harps and cymbals swell the sound. Twelve great pearls, the city’s portals:
through them we stream to join the immortals as we with joy your throne surround.
No eye has known the sight, no ear heard such delight: Alleluia!
Therefore we sing to greet our King; for ever let our praises ring.
Watchet auf, ruft uns die Stimme – J.S. Bach BWV 645
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily:
to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, O long-expected Jesus, born to set your people free.
From our fears and sins release us; Christ, in whom our rest shall be.
You, our strength and consolation, come salvation to impart;
dear desire of every nation, joy of many a longing heart.
Born your people to deliver, born a child, and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever, born your gracious realm to bring.
By your own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by your all-sufficient merit raise us to your glorious throne.