Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding;
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say,
“Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”

Wakened by the solemn warning
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven.

That when next He comes in glory,
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With His mercy He may shield us,
And with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, and blessing
Be to God: the Father, Son
And the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run.

Author: Unknown

Year: 6

This is an English translation of the Latin hymn 'Vox clara ecce intonat' (also known as 'En clara vox redarguit'), which dates to the 6th century. The translation is often attributed to Edward Caswall (1814-1878) in his 1849 collection, though some hymnals list it as anonymous or traditional. The Latin original is the primary source.