Watchman Tell Us of the Night

Watchman Tell Us of the Night

Composed by Alan Hovhaness
Lyrics John Bowring

Watchman, tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are;
Traveler, o’er yon mountain’s height
See that glory-beaming star;

Watchman, does its beauteous ray
Aught of hope or joy foretell?
Traveler, yes; it brings the day,
Promised day of Israel.

Watchman, tell us of the night,
Higher yet that star ascends;
Traveler, blessedness and light,
Peace and truth its course portends;

Watchman, will its beams alone
Gild the spot that gave them birth?
Traveler, ages are its own;
See, it bursts o’er all the earth.

Watchman, tell us of the night,
For the morning seems to dawn;
Traveler, darkness takes its flight,
Doubt and terror are withdrawn;

Watchman, let thy wanderings cease,
Hie thee to thy quiet home.
Traveler, lo, the Prince of Peace,
Lo, the Son of God is come.