The Cyber Hymnal ‎#454

454. Behold the Bridegroom Cometh (Moultrie)

1. Behold the Bridegroom cometh in
The middle of the night,
And blest is he whose loins are girt,
Whose lamp is burning bright;
But woe to that dull servant, whom
The Master shall surprise
With lamp untrimmed, unburning and
With slumber in his eyes.

2. Do thou, my soul, beware, beware,
Lest thou in sleep sink down,
Lest thou be given o’er to death,
And lose the golden crown;
But see that thou be sober, with
A watchful eye, and thus
Cry—‘Holy, holy, holy God,
Have mercy upon us.’

3. That day, the day of fear, shall come;
My soul, slack not thy toil,
But light thy lamp, and feed it well,
And make it bright with oil;
Who knowest not how soon may sound
The cry at eventide,
‘Behold the Bridegroom comes! Arise!
Go forth to meet the bride.’

4. Beware, my soul; beware, beware,
Lest thou in slumber lie,
And like, the five, remain without,
And knock, and vainly cry;
But watch, and bear thy lamp undimmed,
And Christ shall gird thee on
His own bright wedding robe of light—
The glory of the Son.

Text Information

• First Line: Behold the Bridegroom cometh in
• Title: Behold the Bridegroom Cometh (Moultrie)
• Greek Title: Ιδοὺ ο Νύμφις έρχεται
• Translator (from Greek): Gerard Moultrie
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Source: Horlogion, circa 8th Century; Translation in Lyra Messianica, 1864
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: BRIDEGROOM (MACFARREN), George A. Macfarren, 1872; KINGSFOLD, English melody

Tune Information

• Name: SECOND MODE MELODY
• Composer: Thomas Tallis, 1515-1585
• Arranger: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906)
• Meter: CMD
• Incipit: 11231 22117 12211
• Key: G Major
• Copyright: Public Domain