Watchman, Tell Us of the Night (Hymns:As a Sequel to Matins)

For other versions of this work, see Watchman, Tell Us of the Night.
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night (1825)
by John Bowring
179022Watchman, Tell Us of the Night1825John Bowring

Watchman, tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are.
Traveler, o'er yon mountain's height,
See that glory beaming star.
Watchman, does its beauteous ray
Aught of joy or hope foretell?
Traveler, yes – it brings the day,
Promised day of Israel.

Watchman, tell us of the night;
Higher yet that star ascends.
Traveler, blessedness and light,
Peace and truth its course portends.
Watchman, will its beams alone
Gild the spot that gave them birth?
Traveler, ages are its own;
See, it bursts o'er all the earth.

Watchman, tell us of the night,
For the morning seems to dawn.
Traveler, darkness takes its flight,
Doubt and terror are withdrawn.
Watchman, let thy wanderings cease;
Hie thee to thy quiet home.
Traveler, lo! the Prince of Peace,
Lo! the Son of God is come!

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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