Nothing I've seen yet does the German of the last verse justice and makes it ring (as a good Advent tune ought) with the Nativity and the eschaton at once.
Originally I translated just that verse, but I decided to keep going. Debts to Winkworth, of course, but really its own thing:
Originally I translated just that verse, but I decided to keep going. Debts to Winkworth, of course, but really its own thing:
Wake, O wake! a voice of gladness
calls from above to end our sadness:
Awake, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight’s gloom bright joy is breaking
For lo! the Bridegroom now is making
His way to greet the virgins wise.
Arise, for it is He!
Take up your lamps & see:
Halleluja.
Do not delay,
Ye cannot stay:
Behold! It is the wedding day.
Sion hears the watchmen singing
And lo! her heart with joy is springing:
She leaps for Him for Whom she pined.
See her Bridegroom run to meet her,
Girt up with grace & truth to greet her,
Her risen Star -- how bright He shines!
O priceless Crown, now come:
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son.
Hosianna.
Now lead us where
Thou dost prepare
The wedding feast for us to share.
Let the Gloria keep ringing
as tongues of men and angels singing
Join with the harp, Thy praise to tell.
Through those gates, where angels never
Cease praising round Thy throne, forever,
O Bridegroom, take Thy Bride to dwell.
No eye hath ever gazed,
or ear yet been amazed
at such gladness.
Our hearts aglow,
io, io!
we sing in dulci jubilo.