We a little longer wait, But how little none can

ES IST DAS HEIL

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A cross the sky the shades of night This win-ter's eve are fleeting; We seek Thee,

German melody in Etlich Cristliche Lyeder, 1524, harmonized by C. L. Safford, 1909

HH!

ever- - last-ing Light, In sol-emn wor-ship meet-ing; And as the year's last hours go by

1

CROSS the sky the shades of night
This winter's eve are fleeting;
We seek Thee, everlasting Light,
In solemn worship meeting;
And as the year's last hours go by
We lift to Thee our earnest cry,

Once more Thy love entreating.

We lift to Thee our ear-nest cry, Once more Thy love en treat - ing.

2 Before the cross, subdued we bow, To Thee our prayers addressing; Recounting all Thy mercies now,

H

And all our sins confessing; Beseeching Thee, this coming year, To hold us in Thy faith and fear,

And crown us with Thy blessing.

A

3 In many an hour, when fear and dread,
Like evil spells have bound us,
And clouds were gathering overhead,
Thy providence hath found us;
In many a night when waves ran high,
Thy gracious presence drawing nigh
Hath made all calm around us.

5 Then, O great God, in years to come,
Whatever fate betide us,

· men.

4 And, while we kneel, we lift our eyes
To dear ones gone before us;
Safe housed with Thee in paradise,
Their spirits hovering o'er us;
And beg of Thee, when life is past,
To re-unite us all at last,

And to our lost restore us.

Right onward through our journey home
Be Thou at hand to guide us,
Nor leave us till, at close of life,
Safe from all perils, toil and strife,
Heaven shall enfold and hide us.

James Hamilton, 1882, v. 1, line 3 alt.