Verse 1
Oft have we pass’d the guilty night
In revellings and frantick mirth,
The creature was our sole delight,
Our happiness the things of earth;
But O! Suffice the season past,
We chuse the better part at last.

Verse 2
We will not close our wakeful eyes,
We will not let our eyelids sleep,
But humbly lift them to the skies,
And all a solemn vigil keep:
So many nights[1] on sin bestow’d,
Can we not watch one hour[2] for God?

Verse 3
We can, dear Jesu,[3] for thy sake,
Devote our every hour to thee,
Speak but the word, our souls shall wake
And sing with chearful melody,
Thy praise shall our glad tongues employ,
And every heart shall dance for joy.

Verse 4
Dear object of our faith, and love,
We listen for thy welcome voice,
Our persons, and our works approve
And bid us in thy strength rejoice,
Now let us hear the midnight cry,
And shout to find the Bridegroom nigh.

Verse 5
Shout in the midst of us, O King
Of saints, and let[4] our joys abound,
Let us rejoice,[5] give thanks, and sing,
And triumph in redemption found:
We ask in faith for every soul;[6]
O let our glorious joy be full.

Verse 6
O may we all triumphant rise,
With joy upon our heads return,
And far above these[7] nether skies
By thee on eagle’s wings upborn,
Thro’ all yon radiant circles move,
And gain the highest heaven of love.

[1] Wesley changed “nights” to “years” in 1750.
[2] Wesley changed “hour” to “night” in 1750.
[3] Wesley changed “Jesu” to “Jesus” in 1750.
[4] Wesley changed “let” to “make” in 1750.
[5] Wesley changed “rejoice” to “exalt” in 1750.
[6] Wesley replaced this line with “We ask for every waiting soul” in 1745 and 1750, but returned to the original in later printings.
[7] Wesley changed “these” to “those” in 1750.