We know not the hour of the Master's appearing;

Yet signs all foretell that the moment is nearing

When He shall return 'tis the promise most cheering

But we know not the hour.

Refrain

He will come, let us watch and be ready;

He will come, hallelujah! hallelujah!

He will come in the clouds of His Father's

Bright glory but we know not the hour.

There's light for the wise who are seeking salvation;

There's truth in the book of the Lord's revelation;

Each prophecy points to the great comsummation

But we know not the hour.

Refrain

He will come, let us watch and be ready;

He will come, hallelujah! hallelujah!

He will come in the clouds of His Father's

Bright glory but we know not the hour

We'll watch and we'll pray, with our lamps trimmed and burning;

We'll work and we'll wait till the Master's returning;

We'll sing and rejoice, every omen discerning

But we know not the hour.

Refrain

He will come, let us watch and be ready;

He will come, hallelujah! hallelujah!

He will come in the clouds of His Father's

Bright glory but we know not the hour

     Both words and music were composed in 1886 by Franklin Edson Belden, the eldest of five children born to Stephen Belden and Sarah Harmon, the elder sister of Ellen Harmon White. When he was eight years old, Belden’s family moved to California, where he first composed music. Due to breathing problems, Belden later moved to Colorado. He eventually returned to Battle Creek, Michigan, around age 30. He joined the Review and Herald Publishing Company, and stayed in Battle Creek until about 1910, when he began writing songs for evangelist Billy Sunday.