Text and melody are by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608). The theme of the song is the “parable of the wise and foolish virgins” from Mt. 25, 1-13. Musically, the melody, with its ascending broken triads, is reminiscent of fanfare and trumpet motifs – just as befits the entry of a victorious king.
1. “Wake up,” the voice
of the watchmen calls to us very high on the battlements,
“awake, O city of Jerusalem!
This hour is called midnight”;
they call out to us with clear lips:
“Where are you wise virgins?
Well, the bridegroom is coming, get
up, take the lamps! Hallelujah!
Prepare yourselves for the wedding,
you must go to meet him!”
2. Zion hears the watchmen singing,
her heart leaps for joy,
she wakes up and gets up in haste.
Her friend comes magnificently from heaven,
strong in grace, mighty in truth,
her light grows bright, her star rises.
Now come, dear Kron,
Lord Jesus, Son of God! Hosanna!
We follow everyone to the Hall of Joy
and have communion with them.
3. Gloria be sung to you
with human and angelic tongues,
with harps and cymbals.
The gates
of your city are of twelve pearls; we stand
high around your throne in the choir of angels.
No eye has ever felt,
no ear has heard such joy.
We rejoice and sing you
the hallelujah over and over again.
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