Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning

This is an American spiritual-style song about being ready for God's coming again.   It is loosely based the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), and on Luke 12:35.

The author and composer are unknown:  it was recorded by Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945) in 1928 - and on the basis of this, it is safe to assume that the song is now in the public domain.  

Many different singers have recorded the song, and the words and song structure vary widely with the singer.

Downloads

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PowerPoint slides

Downloadable SATB choir arrangement with piano

Examples

Gospel choir with band

Choir with orchestra

Choir, unaccompanied

Duo with guitar

Singer, unaccompanied

Church choir with jazz band

Instrumental - bell choir

Instrumental - organ

Lyrics

Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,

keep your lamps trimmed and burning,

keep your lamps trimmed and burning,

the day is drawing nigh.

Refrain:

Children, don't get weary,

children, don't get weary,

children, don't get weary

till your work is done.

Darker midnight lies before us,

darker midnight lies before us,

darker midnight lies before us,

the day is drawing nigh.

For the morning soon is breaking,

for the morning soon is breaking,

for the morning soon is breaking,

the day is drawing nigh.

Christian journey soon be over,

Christian journey soon be over,

Christian journey soon be over,

the day is drawing nigh.

See more ...

• Hymns about end-times
• Spirituals