See, daylight is fading over earth and over ocean

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See, daylight is fading over earth and over ocean

Author: Reginald Heber
Published in 26 hymnals

Representative Text

The daylight is fading o’er earth and o’er ocean,
The sun has gone down o’er the slumbering sea;
And now, in the hush of life’s fitful commotion,
We lift our tired spirits, blest Saviour, to thee.

For oft would’st thou wander alone on the mountain,
As eventide spread her dark wing o’er the wave;
Now, filling our souls from thy light’s ceaseless fountain;
Be near in the darkness, to bless and to save.

And oft as the tumult of life’s heaving billow
Shall toss our frail bark driving wild o’er night’s deep,
Let thy guarding wing be stretched over our pillow,
And shield us from evil, though death watch our sleep.

Source: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #552

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Author: Reginald Heber

Reginald Heber was born in 1783 into a wealthy, educated family. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English verse by the time he was seven, entering Oxford at 17, and winning two awards for his poetry during his time there. After his graduation he became rector of his father's church in the village of Hodnet near Shrewsbury in the west of England where he remained for 16 years. He was appointed Bishop of Calcutta in 1823 and worked tirelessly for three years until the weather and travel took its toll on his health and he died of a stroke. Most of his 57 hymns, which include "Holy, Holy, Holy," are still in use today. -- Greg Scheer, 1995… Go to person page >

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