Tune—Boylston.
“WATCHMAN, TELL US OF THE NIGHT.”
The tune written to this pealing hymn of Sir John Bowring by Lowell Mason has never been superseded. In animation and vocal splendor it catches the author's own clear call, echoing the shout of Zion's sentinels from city to city, and happily reproducing in movement and phrase the great song-dialogue. Words and music together, the piece ranks with the foremost missionary lyrics. Like the greater Mason-Heber world-song, it has acquired no arbitrary name, appearing in Mason's own tune-books under its first hymn-line and likewise in many others. A few hymnals have named it “Bowring,” (and why not?) and some later ones simply “Watchman.”
1.
Watchman, tell us of the night.
What its signs of promise are!
(Antistrophe)
Traveler, on yon mountain height.
See that glory-beaming star!
2