Verse 1

O’ER the harvest reaped or lost Falls the eve; our tasks are over: Purpose crowed or purpose crossed None may mar and none recover. Now, o merciful and just, Trembling lay we down the trust; Slender fruit of thriftless day, Father, at Thy feet we lay.

Verse 2

Yea, but Thou, o Judge and Lord, Yea, but Thou, o strong and holy, Take, and in Thy bosom stored, By the pure hands changing wholly, Turn to gold the things of naught, Failing deed and failing thought: Love, how faint, yet love, we give; Thou within Thee make it live.

Verse 3

Gracious task our heart shall bear Now, for sweeter call has found us: Airs of home and days that were Wind re-woven chains around us; By the hearthstone, whence we came, Love shall trim her gentle flame, Kindling new from undefiled Ancient altars of the child.

Verse 4

Brothers, whom the wider life Summons to a man’s endeavour, Bear our blessing to the strife, Comrades once and comrades ever: Yours and ours, one saving star, Here and on your fields afar, Lightens from beside the throne, Where the one Lord makes us one.

Background: O’er The Harvest Reaped Or Lost Falls