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, keep watch, beware
lest thou in sleep sink down,
Lest thou be given o'er to death, and
lose the golden crown;
But see that thou art 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;
Thou 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 ! take thou good
heed lest thou in slumber lie,
And, like the five, remain without,
and knock, and vainly cry;
But watch, and bear thy lamp un-
dimmed, and Christ shall gird thee on
His own bright wedding-robe of
light—the glory of the Son.