The sun is sinking fast

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The sun is sinking fast

Translator: Edward Caswall (1858)
Tune: ST. COLUMBA (Irons)
Published in 161 hymnals

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Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 The sun is sinking fast,
the daylight dies;
let love awake, and pay
her evening sacrifice.

2 As Christ upon the cross
his head inclined,
and to his Father's hands
his parting soul resigned,

3 so now herself my soul
would wholly give
into his sacred charge,
in whom all spirits live;

4 so now beneath his eye
would calmly rest,
without a wish or thought
abiding in the breast,

5 save that his will be done,
whate'er betide;
dead to herself, and dead
in him to all beside.

6 Thus would I live: yet now
not I, but he,
in all his power and love
henceforth alive in me.

7 One sacred Trinity!
One Lord divine!
May I be ever his,
and he for ever mine.

Source: CPWI Hymnal #29

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Translator: Edward Caswall

Edward Caswall was born in 1814, at Yately, in Hampshire, where his father was a clergyman. In 1832, he went to Brasenose College, Oxford, and in 1836, took a second-class in classics. His humorous work, "The Art of Pluck," was published in 1835; it is still selling at Oxford, having passed through many editions. In 1838, he was ordained Deacon, and in 1839, Priest. He became perpetural Curate of Stratford-sub-Castle in 1840. In 1841, he resigned his incumbency and visited Ireland. In 1847, he joined the Church of Rome. In 1850, he was admitted into the Congregation of the Oratory at Birmingham, where he has since remained. He has published several works in prose and poetry. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >

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First Line:	The sun is sinking fast
Latin Title:	Sol praeceps rapitur
Translator:	Edward Caswall (1858)
Meter:	6.4.6.6
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain