Rejoice, rejoice, believers

Here is the 4th in the series of daily Advent Hymns.

These dramatic words, written by Laurentius Laurenti (1660-1722) in 1700, and translated by Sarah Fidlater (1823-1907) in 1854, paints the dramatic scene of the watchers, presumably the wise virgins, awaiting the arrival of the Bridegroom with their lamps burning brightly and the shouts of "Alleluia".

This of course being symbolic of the people of Israel waiting, in darkness, for the arrival of the Messiah.

I can remember, even as a little kid, how interesting I found these "scenes" in the Bible. With all of the worlds "lights," today, we have little feeling for waiting in TRUE darkness, and hoping for a saving light!

The music is the well-known Welsh hymntune "Llangloffan" which comes from the collection, "Hymnau a Thoman", 1865, complied by David Evans (1874-1948).

The music is march-like in the dark key of G minor. I played this in a "parish church style," hence the choice of organ and the "simpler effects" used.

I almost phrase my music according to the text, so, if you aren't singing along, or at least reading along, some of the "phrase ends" may sound odd to you! :-)

Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing,
And darker night is near:
The Bridegroom is arising,
And soon He draweth nigh;
Up, pray, and watch, and wrestle:
At midnight comes the cry.

See that your lamps are burning,
Replenish them with oil;
And watch for your salvation,
The end of earthly toil.
The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near,
Go meet Him as He cometh,
With alleluias clear.

Our Hope and Expectation,
O Jesus, now appear!
Arise, Thou Sun so longed for,
O'er this benighted sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
We plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemtion
That brings us unto Thee.

Words, Laurentius Laurenti, 1700 (1660-1722)
trans. Sarah B. Findlater, 1854 (1823-1907)
Music, Welsh Hymn melody
David Evans' (1874-1948) "Hymnau a Thoman", 1865