Awake, My Soul!

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run.
Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise
To pay thy morning's sacrifice!
Redeem thy misspent youth that's past
Live this day as it were thy last!
Improve thy talent with due care,
For the great day thyself prepare.

Let all thy converse be sincere,
Thy conscience as the noonday clear.
Think how all seeing God thy ways,
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
By influence of the light divine,
Let thy own light in good works shine.
Reflect all heaven's propitious ways
In ardent love and cheerful praise!

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the Angels bear thy part!
Who all night long unwearied sing,
High praise to the eternal King!
Awake, awake ye heavn'ly choir,
May your devotion me inspire!
That I like you my age may spend,
Like you may on my God attend!
Awake! Awake! Awake!

~Thomas Ken (1637-1711)