Verse 1

THE day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended, The darkness falls at Thy behest; To Thee our morning hymns ascended, Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

Verse 2

We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping, While earth rolls onward into light, Through all the world her watch is keeping, And rests not now by day or night.

Verse 3

As o’er each continent and island The dawn leads on another day, The voice of prayer is never silent, Nor dies the strain of praise away.

Verse 4

The sun that bids us rest is waking Our brethren ’neath the western sky, And hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

Verse 5

So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never, Like earth’s proud empires, pass away; Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever, Till all Thy creatures own thy sway.

Background: The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended