The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#206

206. Across the sky the shades of night

1 Across the sky the shades of night
This winter's eve are fleeting:
We deck Thine altar, Lord, with light,
In solemn worship meeting:
And as the year's last hours go by,
We lift to Thee our earnest cry,
Once more Thy love entreating.

2 Before the cross, subdued we bow,
To Thee our prayers addressing;
Recounting all Thy mercies now,
And all our sins confessing;
Beseeching Thee, this coming year,
To hold us in Thy faith and fear,
And crown us with Thy blessing.

3 And while we pray we lift our eyes
To dear ones gone before us,
Safe housed with Thee in Paradise,
Whose peace descendeth o'er us:
And beg of Thee, when life is past,
To re-unite us all, at last,
And to our lost restore us.

4 We gather up, in this brief hour,
The memory of Thy mercies:
Thy wondrous goodness, love, and power,
Our grateful song rehearses:
For Thou hast been our strength and stay,
In many a dark and dreary day
Of sorrow and reverses.

5 In many an hour, when fear and dread,
Like evil spells have bound us,
And clouds were gathering overhead,
Thy providence hath found us:
In many a night when waves ran high,
Thy gracious presence, drawing nigh
Hath made all calm around us.

6 Then, O Great God, in years to come,
Whatever fate betide us,
Right onward through our journey home
Be Thou at hand to guide us:
Nor leave us till, at close of life,
Safe from all perils, toil, and strife,
Heaven shall unfold and hide us.

Text Information

• First Line: Across the sky the shades of night
• Author: Jas. Hamilton (1838)
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: New Year's Eve

Tune Information

• Name: [Across the sky the shades of night]
• Composer: J. Wolff (1569)
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7.
• Key: G Major