1 The day you gave us, Lord, is ended,
the darkness falls at your behest;
to you our morning hymns ascended,
your praise shall sanctify our rest.

2 We thank you that your church unsleeping,
while earth rolls onwards into light,
through all the world her watch is keeping,
and rests not now by day or night.

3 Across each continent and island
as dawn leads on another day,
the voice of prayer is never silent,
nor dies the strain of praise away.

4 The sun that bids us rest is waking
our friends beneath the western sky,
and hour by hour fresh lips are making
your wondrous doings heard on high.

5 So be it, Lord; your throne shall never,
like earth's proud empires, pass away;
your kingdom stands, and grows for ever,
till all your creatures own your sway.