Classic Poem

As the bird, whose clarion gay
Sounds before the dawn is grey,
Christ, who brings the spirit's day,
Calls us, close at hand:
‘Wake!’ He cries, ‘and for My sake,
From your eyes dull slumber shake!
Sober, righteous, chaste, awake!
At the door I stand!’

Lord to thee we lift on high
Fervent prayer and bitter cry:
Hearts aroused to pray and sigh
May not slumber more:
Break the sleep of Death and Time,
Forged by Adam's ancient crime;
And the light of Eden's prime
To the world restore!

Now before Thy throne, while we
Ask, upon our bended knee,
That this blessing granted be,
And Thy grace implore;
Unto God the Father, Son,
Holy Spirit, Three in One,
One in Three, be glory done,
Now and evermore.