Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

358 Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

1 Watchman, tell us of the night,
   what its signs of promise are.
   Traveler, what a wondrous sight:
   see that glory-beaming star.
   Watchman, does its beauteous ray
   news of joy or hope foretell?
   Traveler, yes; it brings the day,
   promised day of Israel.

2 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.

3 Watchman, tell us of the night,
   for the morning seems to dawn.
   Traveler, shadows take their flight;
   doubt and terror are withdrawn.
   Watchman, you may go your way;
   hasten to your quiet home.
   Traveler, we rejoice today,
   for Emmanuel has come!
                         John Bowring
                         The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition

<idle musing>
Another Advent hymn, this one occurs in more than 850 hymnals. It's a pity that Advent hymns have been overwhelmed by Christmas carols and songs. There's something special about the lead-up to Christmas that we've lost.

Just an
</idle musing>