Day is Dying in the West

When I was a little girl, we sang the same song every Friday night.  Dad sang the same beautiful harmonies, and I never could figure out how he could hear the extra notes and find them with his voice.  (I’m finally learning.)

The calm of sunset, the house freshly cleaned, a delicious (and often easy, crockpot) supper always seemed to speak Sabbath peace to my young heart.

Will you join me this Sabbath, in the peace?

Day is dying in the west,

Heav’n is touching earth with rest.

Wait, and worship, while the night

Sets her evening lamps alight

Through all the sky.

Refrain:

Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God of hosts,

Heaven and earth are full of Thee,

Heaven and earth are praising Thee,

O Lord, most high.

Lord of life, beneath the dome

Of the universe, Thy home,

Gather us who seek Thy face

In the fold of Thy embrace,

For Thou art nigh.

(Refrain)

While the deepening shadows fall,

Heart of love, enfolding all,

Thro’ the glory and the grace

Of the stars that veil Thy face,

Our hearts ascend.

(Refrain)

When forever from our sight

Pass the stars, the day, the night,

Lord of angels, on our eyes

Let eternal morning rise,

And shadows end.

(Refrain)

{Did you notice the poetry?  How the rhyme scheme was so well-crafted, and yet not stiff?  Each verse has an AABBC rhyme structure, which is easy to spot.  But the fun thing I JUST NOW noticed?  The “C” line in verses one and two rhymes, as does the “C” in verses three and four, which makes a rhyme scheme entirely made up of couplets.  I know.  You thought that was genius, too.}

--Day is Dying in the West, text by Mary A. Lathbury; tune CHAUTAUQUA by William F. Sherwin; SDA Hymnal number 51.