The Midnight Cry

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Time is gliding like the shuttle of the weaver

Author: Johnson Oatman
Tune: [Time is gliding like the shuttle of the weaver]
Published in 6 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Time is gliding like the shuttle of the weave
And the day is swiftly passing by,
If tonight should be the coming of the Bridegroom,
Are you ready for the midnight cry?

Refrain:
O, behold the “Bridegroom cometh,”
What if now it sounded from the sky?
Would to meet Him bring you joy or sorrow?
Are you ready for the midnight cry?

2 You must for Him every day and hour keep watching,
The time for His coming draweth nigh;
In the hour when ye think not, behold He cometh,
Are you ready for the midnight cry? [Refrain]

3 Are your lamps all filled and ready to be lighted,
Is the wedding garment now close by?
Just outside the Bridegroom now may be approaching,
Are you ready for the midnight cry? [Refrain]

4 Soon may ring that awful cry “Behold He Cometh”
In the twinkling, twinkling of an eye;
Only those whom He finds watching will go with Him,
Are you ready for the midnight cry? [Refrain]

Source: Soul Inspiring Songs #30

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Author: Johnson Oatman

Johnson Oatman, Jr., son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman, was born near Medford, N. J., April 21, 1856. His father was an excellent singer, and it always delighted the son to sit by his side and hear him sing the songs of the church. Outside of the usual time spent in the public schools, Mr. Oatman received his education at Herbert's Academy, Princetown, N. J., and the New Jersey Collegiate Institute, Bordentown, N. J. At the age of nineteen he joined the M.E. Church, and a few years later he was granted a license to preach the Gospel, and still later he was regularly ordained by Bishop Merrill. However, Mr. Oatman only serves as a local preacher. For many years he was engaged with his father in the mercantile business at Lumberton… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Time is gliding like the shuttle of the weaver
Title:	The Midnight Cry
Author:	Johnson Oatman
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	O, behold the Bridegroom cometh
Copyright:	Public Domain