What are the lyrics of Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old! by Samuel Sebastian Wesley?

“Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old!” begins: Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old!… Read the full lyrics on ChoirPDFs.

Who composed Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old!?

Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old! was composed by Samuel Sebastian Wesley.

What language is Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old! sung in?

Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old! is sung in English.

Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old! by Samuel Sebastian Wesley — Lyrics & Sheet Music (PDF)

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SATB

Edition by James Gibb

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Added Jul 29, 2026

2 editions of this piece

Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.

SATB · John Henry Fowler Preview

Composer: Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Format: Staff

Language: English

Pages: 1 page

This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.

Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old! by Samuel Sebastian Wesley — Lyrics

Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old! Come, Holy Spirit, in Thy power and might; For lack of Thee our hearts are strangely cold, Our minds but blindly groping towards the light. Doubts are abroad: make Thou these doubts to cease! Fears are within: set Thou these fears at rest! Strife is among us: melt that strife to peace! Change marches onward: may all change be blest!

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About Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old!

Samuel Sebastian Wesley composed this stirring anthem for SATB choir. The text is a fervent plea for divine intervention, originally appearing as a hymn. It implores the Lord and the Holy Spirit to awaken and energize a congregation whose hearts have grown cold and minds are lost. The lyrics express a deep yearning for spiritual renewal, addressing contemporary anxieties such as doubt, fear, and societal change. The choir is called upon to convey the text's earnest desire for authenticity in faith, where professions of belief are matched by actions, and prayer and praise are genuine. It asks for deliverance from unreality and for a transformation that aligns inner commitment with outward expression, culminating in a plea for peace and blessing.