Darkening 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.
O 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 through death’s last darkness take us,
so awake us
to heaven’s everlasting day.
