Come Lord Jesus (Christ come quickly, there's danger at the door)

This Advent hymn with a social justice focus was written by Medical Mission Sister Miriam Therese Winter (b 1938).

It was originally published in her 1966 collection I Know the Secret (now out of print but usually available on Amazon). It was later included in Songlines: Hymns, Songs, Rounds and Refrains for Prayer and Praise.

The tune is named COME CHRIST JESUS, and has a 4/4 time signature. In Songlines it is set in the key of D, and the first few notes are F ABA FEDD B,A,.

The original title was "Come Lord Jesus", but in later publications this is changed to "Come Christ Jesus". Many people simply know it as Christ Come Quickly.

1 Christ, come quickly, there’s danger at the door, poverty a’plenty, hearts gone wild with war. There’s hunger in the city and famine on the plain. Chorus: Come, Lord Jesus, the light is dying, the night keeps crying: Come, Lord Jesus. 2 Want demands a hearing in far too many lands. The sick go unattended, death deals a heavy hand. The dreams of men are empty, their cup of sorrow full. 3 The world awaits in darkness a mighty burst of light, to set the lame man leaping, to give the blind man sight. We have the prophet’s promise, we await the Prince of Peace. 4 The clouds shall send a Savior like softly falling rain, yet mighty in his power to free us from our chains. His shield will be compassion, his weapon liberty,

Downloads

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Examples

Church choir with keyboard:

Church choir with band:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are available this website.

The song has four verses, each three lines long. There is a two-line chorus which is repeated after each verse. A rough outline is:

1 Christ, come quickly, there’s danger at the door,

Chorus:
Come, Lord Jesus, the light is dying,
the night keeps crying: Come, Lord Jesus.

2 Want demands a hearing in far too many lands.

3 The world awaits in darkness a mighty burst of light,

4 The clouds shall send a Savior like softly falling rain,