We Know Not the Hour

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We know not the hour of the Master's appearing

Author: F. E. Belden (1886)
Tune: [We know not the hour of the Master's appearing]
Published in 15 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI, Recording

Representative Text

1. We know not the hour of the Master’s appearing,
Yet signs all foretell that the moment is nearing
When He shall return—’tis a promise most cheering—
But we know not the hour.

Refrain:
He will come, let us watch and be ready;
He will come, hallelujah! hallelujah!
He will come in the clouds of His Father’s bright glory—
But we know not the hour.

2. There’s light for the wise who are seeking salvation,
There’s truth in the Book of divine revelation—
Each prophecy points to the great consummation—
But we know not the hour.

3. We’ll watch and we’ll pray, with our lamps trimmed and burning,
We’ll work and we’ll wait till the Master’s returning,
We’ll sing and rejoice, every omen discerning—
But we know not the hour.

Source: 50 Uncommon Songs: for partakers of the common salvation #42

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Author: F. E. Belden

Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evangelist Billy Sunday. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >

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First Line:	We know not the hour of the Master's appearing
Title:	We Know Not the Hour
Author:	F. E. Belden (1886)
Meter:	12.12.12.6 with refrain
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	He will come, let us watch and be ready
Copyright:	Public Domain