{
The Shadows of the Evening Hours
ST. LEONARD-Henry Hiles
The Shadows of the Evening Hours
}
The shadows of the evening hours
Fall from the dark'ning sky;
Upon the fragrance of the flow'rs
The dews of evening lie.
Before Thy throne, O Lord of heav'n,
We kneel at close of day;
Look on thy children from on high,
And hear us while we pray.
The sorrows of Thy servants, Lord,
O do not Thou despise,
But let the incense of our prayers
Before Thy mercy rise.
The brightness of the coming night
Upon the darkness rolls;
With hopes of future glory chase
The shadows from our souls.
Slowly the rays of daylight fade:
So fade within our heart
The hopes in earthly love and joy,
That one by one depart.
Slowly the bright stars, one by one,
Within the heavens shine:
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven,
And trust in things divine.
Let peace, O Lord, Thy peace, O God,
Upon our souls descend;
From midnight fears, and perils, Thou
Our trembling hearts defend.
Give us a respite from our toil;
Calm and subdue our woes;
Through the long day we labor, Lord,
O give us now repose.