Before the day draws near its ending

Anthem for evening prayer in all seasons, for choir (unison, ending SATB) and organ. Lyrics by John Ellerton, 1880.

Before the day draws near its ending,
and evening steals o’er earth and sky,
once more to Thee our hymns ascending
shall speak Thy praises, Lord Most High.

O Light all clear, O Truth most holy,
O boundless Mercy pard’ning all,
before Thy feet, abashed and lowly,
with one last prayer Thy children call.

When we no more on earth adore Thee,
and others worship here in turn,
O may we sing that song before Thee,
which none but Thy redeemed can learn. Amen.

Photo by Alan Alves on Unsplash