The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#110

110. Across the Sky the Shades of Night

1 Across the sky the shades of night
This New Year’s Eve are fleeting,
We deck Thine altar, Lord, with light,
In solemn worship meeting;
And as the year’s last hours go by,
We raise to Thee our earnest cry,
Once more Thy love entreating.

2 Before the cross subdued we bow,
To Thee our prayers addressing,
Recounting all Thy mercies now,
And all our sins confessing;
Beseeching Thee this coming year
To keep us in Thy faith and fear
And crown us with Thy blessing.

3 And while we pray, we lift our eyes
To dear ones gone before us,
Safe home with thee in Paradise,
Whose peace descendeth o’er us;
And beg of Thee, when life is past,
To reunite us all at last
With those who’ve gone before us.

4 We gather up in this brief hour
The mem'ry of Thy mercies;
Thy wondrous goodness, love and pow'r
Our grateful song rehearses;
For Thou hast been our Strength and Stay
In many a dark and dreary day
Of sorrow and reverses.

5 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 seas ran high,
Thy gracious presence, drawing nigh,
Hath made all calm around us.

6 Then, O great God, in years to come,
Whatever may betide 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Across the sky the shades of night
• Title: Across the Sky the Shades of Night
• Author: James Hamilton (1883)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Psalm 121:1
• Topic: The Church Year: New Year's Eve

Tune Information

• Name: ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÖH'
• Composer (attributed to): Nikolaus Decius (1529)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7.
• Key: f♯ minor