Religion

When evening shades around us close

by Anonymous Latin Hymns c. 5th–15th century

Translated by John Brownlie (1896) · From Hymns of the Early Church (1896)

Religion

When evening shades around us close,
And bound in sleep our limbs repose,
The watchful soul, from slumber free,
Shall breathe its earnest prayer to Thee.

Desire of Nations, Word of God,
Thou Saviour of the World abroad,
Hear Thou our mournful prayer at length,
And raise the fallen by Thy strength.

Be near, Redeemer; by Thy grace
Forgive our erring sinful race,
Bound in the prison-house of sin—
O, open heaven and lead us in.

O Thou who cam'st to set us free,
To Thee, the Son, all praises be;
To Father, Spirit, Three in One,
While the eternal ages run.

✦ ✦ ✦

Latin: In noctis umbra desides. Brownlie's headnote: by Charles Coffin (1676-1749), not among the poets filed separately here.

MLA

Anonymous Latin Hymns. “When evening shades around us close.” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/13/.

Chicago

Anonymous Latin Hymns. “When evening shades around us close.” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/13/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Anonymous Latin Hymns