The Sacred Harp ‎#117

117. Hail the day so long expected

1 Hail the day so long expected,
Hail the year of full release.
Zion’s walls are now erected,
And her watchmen publish peace.
Through our Shiloh’s wide dominion,
Hear the trumpet loudly roar,
Babylon is fallen to rise no more.

2 All her merchants stand with wonder,
What is this that comes to pass:
Murm’ring like the distant thunder,
Crying, “Oh alas, alas.”
Swell the sound, ye kings and nobles,
Priest and people, rich and poor;
Babylon is fallen to rise no more.

3 Blow the trumpet in Mount Zion,
Christ shall come a second time;
Ruling with a rod of iron
All who now as foes combine.
Babel’s garments we’ve rejected,
And our fellowship is o’er,
Babylon is fallen to rise no more.

Text Information

• First Line: Hail the day so long expected
• Meter: 8s, 7s.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1991

Tune Information

• Name: BABYLON IS FALLEN
• Composer: W. E. Chute (1878)
• Meter: 8s, 7s.
• Key: e minor or modal