Watchman, What of the Night?
By C. M. Willis
SAY, watchman, what of the morning ?
Is the day star ascending on high ?
O say do you see the bright dawning
That speaks our redemption so nigh ?
Can you see that the promised salvation
Is coming with glory and light,
When we shall be saved from temptation,
O watchman, say, what of the night ? Yes, pilgrim, the signs are fulfilling ;
The message is published afar ;
Mankind are their brother's blood spilling,
There are wars and loud rumors of war.
The nations are raging with madness—
The city is coming in sight ;
Then cast off your fears and your sadness,
For this is the news of the night. Say, watchman, what of the city,
Are the streets overlaid with pure gold ?
Is our shepherd soon coming in pity
To gather us into his fold ?
Will we soon see him coming in glory,
Will our foes then be all put to flight,
While the ransomed are shouting love's story ?
Say, watchman, say, what of the night ? Yes, pilgrim, those who his appearing
Are longing with joy to behold,
Can see their redemption still nearing,
Their harps and their crowns of pure gold.
They soon will pass over the river,
And roam those fair fields with delight,
And shout hallelujahs forever ;
O this is the news of the night. Is there, watchman, sweet rest for the weary,
A rest from despondency's gloom ?
Will the earth that now seems dark and dreary
Be draped in perpetual bloom ?
Yes, pilgrim, the desert shall blossom,
The earth shall be cleansed from all blight ;
God will take his loved lambs to his bosom,
Where they'll never know sorrow or night.