Behold, the Bridegroom Comes

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We shall hear a voice, an immortal voice

Author: John M. Whyte
Tune: [We shall hear a voice, an immortal voice]
Published in 14 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. We shall hear a voice, an immortal voice,
Behold, the Bridegroom comes!
At the midnight watch, in the darkness deep,
When across our souls heavy slumbers creep,
We shall hear that voice, that immortal voice,
Behold, the Bridegroom comes!

Refrain
Oh, be ready when the Bridegroom comes!
Oh, be ready when the Bridegroom comes!
At the noontide, In the evening,
At the midnight, in the morning,
Oh, be ready, Oh, be ready,
Oh, be ready when the Bridegroom comes!

2. When the voice shall cry, Go ye forth tonight,
Behold, the Bridegroom comes!
Then the pulse will cease, and the heart grow still,
And the eyes will close, and the blood grow chill,
And the soul will take its eternal flight,
For lo, the Bridegroom comes! [Refrain]

3. Brother, trim your lamp, have it burning bright,
Behold, the Bridegroom comes!
He will surely come, though He seemeth late,
Be at peace with Him, nor a moment wait,
You will hear the cry ere the morning light,
Behold, the Bridegroom comes! [Refrain]

4. Hast thou made a vow? hasten ye to pay,
Behold, the Bridegroom comes!
For when He has come, and hath closed the door,
And ye stand and pray, Open, we implore,
It will be too late—pay your vows today,
Behold, the Bridegroom comes! [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #407

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Author: John M. Whyte

John M. (Marchant) Whyte. Evangelist, hymn writer, singer, b Paris, Canada West (Ontario), 8 Jun 1850, d Toronto 17 Mar 1927. He studied at the University of Toronto and devoted himself to evangelistic and temperance work. Typical of several hundred songs for which he wrote the words or the music, or both, are 'Canada Shall Yet Be Free,' 'Toronto the Good,' and 'Song of Trust.' Many songs appeared in separate editions published by Toronto News Co or Briggs. With his brother David Albert Whyte he edited Sing Out the Glad News (Briggs 1885) and Songs of Calvary (Briggs 1889). The Great Redemption (Briggs 1894), Nuggets of Gold (Briggs 1898) and Battle Songs of the Cross (1901) contain many of his own melodies. Eight of his hymns are reprinted… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	We shall hear a voice, an immortal voice
Title:	Behold, the Bridegroom Comes
Author:	John M. Whyte
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	O be ready when the bridegroom comes
Copyright:	Public Domain