Hark, how the watchmen cry. C. Wesley. [Old and New Year.] This is No. 8 of 19 “Hymns for the Watchnight," published in Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1749, vol. ii., No. 91, in 12 stanzas of 8 lines (Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. v. p. 271.) From this hymn the following centos are in common use:—
1. Hark, how the watchmen cry. This is composed of stanzas i., ii., iv., and vi., and was given in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 305 (edition 1875, No. 314). It is found in several modern collections.
2. Angels your march oppose. This embodies stanzas vii.-x., and was given as the 2nd part of "Hark, how the watchmen cry," in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 306 (edition 1875, No. 315). It is in several modern collections.
3. Angels our march oppose. This, as given in a few American hymn-books in 2 stanzas of 8 lines, or 4 stanzas of 4 lines. It is compiled from stanzas vii., vi., viii., ix., in the order named.
4. Our Captain leads us on. In Hymns and Songs of Praise, N. Y., 1874.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >
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