1 The day you gave us, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at your behest;
To you our morning hymns ascended,
Your praise shall hallow now our rest.

2 We thank you that your church, unsleeping
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

3 As o'er each continent and island
The 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 brethren 'neath the western sky.
Your wondrous doings heard on high.

5 So be it, Lord; your throne shall never,
Like earth's proud empires, pass away:
But stand, and rule, and grow for ever,
Till all your creatures own your sway.