DA

ARKENING night the land doth cover;
Day is over:

We give thanks, O thou most high;
While with wonted hymn we adore thee,
And implore thee

For the light that doth not die.

Like a day our short life hasteth,
Soon it wasteth;

Cometh surely its sad eve.
Oh do thou that eve enlighten,
Save and brighten;

Nor old age of joy bereave.

Come no pain nor pity near it,
Bless and cheer it,

That in peace we our peace win;
As thou wilt do thou us gather,
Gracious Father,

Only without shame and sin.

Now we pray for rest, that sleeping
In thy keeping,

We may joy in the sun's ray;
So thro' death's last darkness take us,
So awake us

To heaven's everlasting day.

18

Thomas Ken (1637–1711)

G

LORY to thee, in light arrayed,

Who light thy dwelling-place hast made;

A boundless ocean of bright beams

From thy all-glorious Godhead streams.

The sun in its meridian height

Is

very darkness in thy sight:

My soul, oh lighten and inflame,

With thought and love of thy great name.

Blest Jesu! thou, on heaven intent,
Whole nights hast in devotion spent ;
But I, frail creature, soon am tired,
And all my zeal is soon expired.
My soul, how canst thou weary grow
Of antedating bliss, below,

In sacred hymns and heavenly love,
Which will eternal be above?

Shine on me, Lord! new life impart,
Fresh ardours kindle in my heart;
One ray of thy all-quickening light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.
Lord! lest the tempter me surprise,
Watch over thine own sacrifice;
All loose, all idle thoughts cast out,
And make my very dreams devout.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye angelic host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

BURY (84.84.8884)

19 (FIRST TUNE)

Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876)