Now the day is over
by Sabine Baring-Gould
Now the day is over,
Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.
Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep,
Birds, and beasts and flowers
Soon will be asleep.
Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tenderest blessing
May mine eyelids close.
Grant to little children
Visions bright of Thee;
Guard the sailors tossing
On the deep, blue sea.
Comfort those who suffer,
Watching late in pain;
Those who plan some evil
From their sin restrain.
Through the long night watches
May Thine angels spread
Their white wings above me,
Watching round my bed.
When the morning wakens,
Then may I arise
Pure, and fresh, and sinless
In Thy holy eyes.
Glory to the Father,
Glory to the Son,
And to Thee, blest Spirit,
While all ages run.
Oh, that's just beautiful! Is it my imagination, or has that been set to a hymn tune? Parts of it seem a little familiar.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to sing me this song when I was little. I had forgotten all about it. Thanks for the sweet memory!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful poem Nan. I always like to come to your blog to see what beautiful gems you find to share with us. This one is a keeper.
ReplyDeleteYes, Joyce, it is a hymn. If you go here, you may here the music. There is an alternate version, but this is the one always sung in my church:
ReplyDeletehttp://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Now_the_Day_Is_Over/midi/
Thanks, Kay. I love it, and when I found myself singing it last night, I thought I'd post his words. Sabine-Gould is in Laurie R. King's The Moor!
Lisa, what a nice, nice thing to say. It means so much to me.
I believe my mother used to sing this to me when I was little, too, Kay. Thank you, Nan, for reminding me of this lovely song!
ReplyDeleteNan
ReplyDeleteLove this hymn...brings back lovely memories of Sun even church in Iowa where I grew up.
Just beautiful words and music.
Thanks for sharing it.
Mim