They Come And Go, The Seasons Fair Hymn Lyrics

1 They come and go, the seasons fair,

And bring their spoil to vale and hills;

But oh, there is waiting in the air,

And a passionate hope the spirit fills.

Why doth He tarry, the absent Lord ?

When shall the Kingdom be restored.

And earth and heaven with one ac-cord,

Ring out the cry that the King comes ?

What will it be when the King comes !

What will it be when the King comes !

What will it be when He comes ! . .

What will it be when the King comes!

2 The floods have lifted up their voice;

The King hath come to His own—

His own !

The little hills and vales rejoice,

His right it is to take the crown.

Sleepers, awake, and meet Him first !

Now let the marriage hymn outburst !

And powers of darkness flee, disperst—

What will it be when the King comes!

3 A ransomed earth breaks forth in song,

Her sin-stained ages over-past;

Her yearning, “Lord, how long, how long ?

Exchanged for joy at last—at last !

Angels, carry the royal commands;

Peace beams forth throughout all the lands:

The trees of the field shall clap their hands—

What will it be when the King comes !

4 Now Zion’s hill, with glory crowned,

Uplifts her head with joy once more;

And Zion’s King, once scorned, disowned,

Extends her rule from shore to shore.

Sing, for the land her Lord regains !

Sing, for the Son of David reigns !

And living streams o’erflow her plains—

What will it be when the King comes !

5 O brothers, stand as men that wait,

The dawn is purpling in the east,

And banners wave from heaven’s high gate;

The conflict now—but soon the feast.

Mercy and truth shall meet again;

Worthy the Lamb that once was slain;

We can suffer now—He will know us then—

What will it be when the King

comes !