Hymn #107: Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn

Marty Haugen (b. 1950) used the imagery of various chapters from the books of Isaiah and Matthew for this Advent hymn, written in 1983. These are traditional texts for the Advent season, and Haugen wanted to provide them in a format that was easy for church congregations to sing.

Marty Haugen served on the editorial team for the Roman Catholic hymnal Gather, a collection of hymns and songs in contemporary folk style. He has contributed his work to more than ten other denominational and independent hymnals and has written articles for a number of journals.

Marty Haugen composed this tune for his own text, calling it REJOICE, REJOICE, from the opening words of the last stanza. Haugen has recorded sixteen collections of music, including a communion service for Lutheran congregations, Now the Feast and Celebration.

Marty Haugen has written and recorded a performance work based on the words of Western church leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, and Oscar Romero. The work, called “Agape,” premiered at the 1993 National Pastoral Musicians convention held at St. Louis, Missouri.