The Ten Virgins

Once, forth to meet the bridegroom

Author: M. B. C. Slade
Tune: [Once, forth to meet the bridegroom]
Published in 3 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. Once, forth to meet the bridegroom,
At night ten virgins went;
Five lamps were trimmed for burning,
In five the oil was spent,
And while they slept and slumbered,
At midnight rose the shout
Behold the bridegroom cometh,
To meet him go ye out.

Refrain
Watch ye, therefore, watch I say,
Watch ye, therefore, watch and pray;
Ye know not the hour, ye know not the day
The Son of Man may come.

2. Then all the foolish virgins
Their need began to tell;
And all the wise ones answered,
Go ye to them that sell.
The foolish virgins hastened,
In darkness, fear, and shame,
The wise ones ready waited,
And lo the bridegroom came! [Refrain]

3. Lord, Lord, unto us open,
The foolish virgins cried;
I know ye not, unto them
The bridegroom’s voice replied.
O Christians, learn the lesson,
Your lamps be wise and trim,
And when the Bridegroom cometh,
Go gladly in with Him. [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #6550

Author: M. B. C. Slade

Mary Bridges Canady Slade USA 1826-1882. Born in Fall River, MA, she was well-educated and became a minister's wife, teacher, and poet. She was assistant editor of The New England Journal of Education. She also authored hymns, Sunday school materials and books on education, primarily used for training teachers. She authored a children's magazine, “Wide-awake”. She and her husband were active in the underground railroad (helping slaves achieve their freedom). She spent her whole life living in the same town. John Perry  Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Once, forth to meet the bridegroom
Title: The Ten Virgins
Author: M. B. C. Slade
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Watch ye, therefore, watch I say
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #6550
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The Cyber Hymnal #6550

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