Watchmen, onward to your stations

1 Watchmen! onward to your stations,
Blow the trumpet long and loud;
Preach the gospel to the nations;
Speak to ev’ry gathering crowd:
See! the day is breaking;
See! the saints awaking,
No more in sadness bow'd.

2 Watchmen! hail the rising glory
Of the great Messiah’s reign;
Tell the Saviour’s bleeding story,
Tell it to the listening train:
See his love revealing;
See the Spirit sealing;
’Tis life amid the slain.

3 Watchmen! as the clouds are flying,
As the doves in haste return,
Thousands from amid the dying,
Flee to Christ, his love to learn:
All their sighs and sadness,
Turn to joy and gladness,
When they his grace discern.

4 Watchmen! now lift up your voices;
Tell the triumphs of your King,
While the ransom'd host rejoices;
Sing aloud his praises, sing:
See his arm victorious;
See his kingdom glorious,
While heaven's glad anthems ring.

5 Watchmen! when your friends are weeping,
When they bid the last adieu,
To your heavenly Father's keeping,
Leave them in submission true:
Kind is his protection;
Safe by his direction,
Your onward course pursue.

6 Watchmen! cast no look behind you,
While your foes are pressing hard,
Jesus shall himself defend you,
Zion's King shall be your guard:
What though hosts assail you,
Christ can never fail you,
He is your great reward.

7 Watchmen! when your toils are ended,
When your conflicts all are o'er,
By celestial bands attended,
You shall reach the heavenly shore:
Crowns of joy await you,
While the hosts that hate you
Shall perish evermore.

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #165

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #7643