Wake, O wake, and sleep no longer,
for he who calls you is no stranger:
awake, God's own Jerusalem!
Hear, the midnight bells are chiming
the signal for his royal coming:
let voice to voice announce his name!
We feel his footstep near,
the Bridegroom at the door
Alleluia!
The lamps will shine
with light divine
as Christ the saviour comes to reign.
Zion hears the sound of singing;
her heart is thrilled with sudden longing:
she stirs, and wakes, and stands prepared.
Christ her friend, and lord, and lover,
her star and sun and strong redeemer
at last his mighty voice is heard.
The Son of God has come
to make with us his home:
sing Hosanna!
The fight is won,
the feast begun;
we fix our eyes on Christ alone.
Glory, glory, sing the angels,
while music sounds from strings and cymbals;
all humankind, with songs arise!
Twelve the gates into the city,
each one a pearl of shining beauty;
the streets of gold ring out with praise.
All creatures round the throne
adore the holy One
with rejoicing:
Amen be sung
by every tongue
to crown their welcome to the King.
Words: Christopher Idle after Philipp Nicolai | Music: Philipp Nicolai | Arrangement: Johann Sebastian Bach | Tune: Wachet auf