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The King Is Coming (I Heard the Trumpet Sounding)

By Bill & Gloria Gaither (1970)

Lyrics

1. The Market place is empty
No more traffic in the streets
All the builders' tools are silent
No more time to harvest wheat
Busy housewives cease their labors
In the courtroom no debate
Work on earth has been suspended
As the King comes through the gate

[Chorus]
The King is coming, the King is coming
I just heard the trumpet sounding
And now his face I see
The King is coming, the King is coming
Praise God, He's coming for me

2 Happy faces line the hallways
Those whose lives have been redeemed
Broken homes that He has mended
Those from prison He's set free
Little children and the aged
Hand in hand, stand all aglow
Those who were crippled, broken, ruined
Clad in garments white as snow
3. I can hear the chariots rumble
I can see the marching throng
And the flurry of God's trumpets
Spell the end of sin and wrong
Regal robes are now unfolding
Heaven's grandstands all in place
Heaven's choir is now assembled
Start to sing Amazing Grace

[Ouro]
Praise God, He's coming for me
Start planning with this hymn

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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Hymn scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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About This Hymn

“The King Is Coming” is a contemporary gospel hymn penned by Gloria Gaither (lyrics) and Bill Gaither (music). It was written after a conversation between the Gaithers and two evangelist friends, inspired by a sermon that proclaimed Christ’s imminent return. The hymn captures the anticipation and joy of believers who look forward to the day when Jesus will come in glory.

The lyrics vividly portray that moment: earthly life ceases — marketplaces go quiet, tools fall silent, labors pause — as the King comes through the gate. In the chorus, the singer hears the trumpet, sees Christ’s face, and rejoices that He is coming personally “for me.” Subsequent verses imagine scenes of redeemed people, the healed and freed, loved ones united, and a procession of victory, complete with chariots, trumpets, and assembled choirs.

Musically, the song is set to an irregular meter under the tune named “King Is Coming”. This meter gives flexibility to the phrasing and lets the emotional content of the text be expressed without rigid structure. The tune is copyrighted (© 1970, William J. Gaither, Inc.). Over time, the song has achieved wide popularity in evangelical and gospel circles, appearing in many songbooks and being performed by choirs and soloists who wish to convey hope in Christ’s return.

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