The Ten Virgins (Slade)

Once

forth to meet the bride­groom

At night ten vir­gins went;

Five lamps were trimmed for burn­ing

In five the oil was spent

And while they slept and slum­bered

At mid­night rose the shout

Behold the bride­groom cometh

To meet him go ye out.

Watch ye

there­fore

watch I say

Watch ye

there­fore

watch and pray;

Ye know not the hour

ye know not the day

The Son of Man may come.

Then all the fool­ish vir­gins

Their need be­gan to tell;

And all the wise ones an­swered

Go ye to them that sell.

The fool­ish vir­gins hast­ened

In dark­ness

fear

and shame

The wise ones rea­dy wait­ed

And lo the bride­groom came!

Lord

Lord

unto us open

The fool­ish vir­gins cried;

I know ye not

un­to them

The bride­groom’s voice re­plied.

O Christ­ians

learn the les­son

Your lamps be wise and trim

And when the Bride­groom com­eth

Go glad­ly in with Him.