The shadows of the evening hours

1 The shadows of the evening hours
Fall from the darkening sky,
Upon the fragrance of the flowers
The dews of evening lie.

2 Before Thy throne, O Lord of heaven,
We kneel at close of day;
Look on Thy children from on high,
And hear us while we pray.

3 The sorrows of Thy servants, Lord,
O do not Thou despise,
But let the incense of our prayers
Before Thy mercy rise;

4 The brightness of the coming night
Upon the darkness rolls;
With hopes of future glory chase
The shadows on our souls.

5 Slowly the rays of daylight fade:
So fade within our heart
The hopes of earthly love and joy,
That one by one depart;

6 Slowly the bright stars, one by one,
Within the heavens shine:--
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven,
And trust in things divine.

7 Let peace, O Lord! Thy peace, O God,
Upon our souls descend;
From midnight fears, and perils, Thou
Our trembling hearts defend:

8 Give us a respite from our toil,
Calm and subdue our woes;
Through the long day we labor, Lord,
O give us now repose.

Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, 1871