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 raise 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 keep 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 home 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
With those who've gone before 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.