Day is Dying in the West

This is a hymn for evening. It was written as a hymn for vespers at the request of the American Methodist Episcopal bishop John H. Vincent, D.D. in 1880. Originally it had only two verses, and these are most commonly published. But two more were added by the author in 1890.

The words were written by American Methodist Episcopal poet, art and French teacher and supporter of the Chautauqua adult-education movement, Mary Artemisia Lathbury (1841-1913).

With meter 7.7.7.4 with refrain, it is almost always set to a tune by American Baptist musician William F. Sherwin (1826-1888), which is may be called DAY IS DYING, CHATAUQUA, EVENING PRAISE or SENNEN.

Downloads

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PowerPoint slides

Interactive Download arranged for piano / voice / guitar (chords only)

Examples

Choir and congregation with organ:

Choir with piano:

Trio, unaccompanied:

Instrumental - electronic piano:

Lyrics

Traditional language

Day is dying in the west;
Heaven is touching earth with rest;
Wait and worship while the night
Sets her evening lamps alight
Through all the sky.

Chorus:
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts!
Heaven and earth are full of thee!
Heaven and earth are praising thee,
O Lord most high!

2 Lord of life, beneath the dome
of the universe, thy home,
Gather us who seek thy face
To the fold of thy embrace,
For thou art nigh.

While the deepening shadows fall,
Heart of Love, enfolding all,
Through the glory and the grace
Of the stars that veil thy face,
Our hearts ascend.

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.

Modern English

Day is dying in the west;
Heaven is touching earth with rest;
Wait and worship while the night
Sets her evening lamps alight
Through all the sky.

Chorus:
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts!
Heaven and earth are full of You!
Heaven and earth are praising You,
O Lord most high!

2 Lord of life, beneath the dome
of the universe, Your home,
Gather us who seek Your face
To the fold of Your embrace,
For You are nigh.

While the deepening shadows fall,
Heart of Love, enfolding all,
Through the glory and the grace
Of the stars that veil your face,
Our hearts ascend.

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.