1. Watchman! Tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are.
Trav’ler! O’er yon mountain’s height
See that glory beaming star!
Watchman, does its beauteous ray
Aught of hope or joy foretell?
Trav’ler! Yes; it brings the day,
Promis’d day of Israel.
2. Watchman! Tell us of the night,
Higher yet that star ascends.
Trav’ler! Blessedness and light,
Peace and truth its course portends.
Watchman, will its beams alone
Gild the spot that gave them birth?
Trav’ler! 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.
Trav’ler! Darkness takes its flight,
Doubt and terror are withdrawn!
Watchman! Let your wand’ring cease,
Go now to your quiet home.
Trav’ler! Lo, the Prince of Peace,
Lo, the Son of God has come!
The text for this hymn was written by John Bowring from the verses of Isaiah 21:11,12. It appeared in James White’s second hymn collection, “Hymns for Second Advent Believers” (1852). The music comes from an Italian folk song.
The song is written in the form of a dialog between the Watchman (a faithful minister who understands the prophecies and the truths for this time), and the Traveller (a believer in Christ, who listens for His voice in those special end-time truths).
