Sleepers Wake

From Cantata BWV 140, Sleepers Wake is an Advent church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, regarded as one of his most mature and popular sacred cantatas. In this vocal arrangement for The Swingle Singers, the composer includes a harmonised version of the chorale melody together with an English text above the famous meandering counter-melody.

This arrangement is part of the Kikapust Choral Series curated by The Swingle Singers. The series offers choirs an extensive choice of close-harmony a cappella arrangements. All the arrangers/composers Jonathan Rathbone, Ben Parry & Mark Williams were long-standing members of The Swingle Singers.

Sleepers, wake! a voice is calling,
The watchman on the walls is crying:
Thou City of Jerusalem!

Hear ye now, ere comes the morning,
The midnight call of solemn warning.
The day is rising in thy heart.

O come in splendour bright,
Lord Jesus, Light of Light
Hallelujah!
We follow thee, thy joy to see.
Where everlasting bliss shall be.