J Ellerton
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.
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.
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.
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.
5
So be it, Lord; Thy Throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
Thy Kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.