1 The sun's last beam of light is gone,
The shades of night come swiftly on.
O Christ, our Light, upon us shine
Lest we to sin's dark ways incline.
2 We thank Thee that throughout the day
Thine angles kept all harm away.
Thy grace from care and vexing fear
Hath led us on in safety here.
3 Lord, if we angered Thee today,
Remember not our sins, we pray,
But let Thy mercy o'er them sweep,
And give us calm and restful sleep.
4 Let angels guard our sleeping hours
And drive away all evil powers;
Our soul and body, while we sleep,
In safety, gracious Father, keep.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #562
Herman, Nicolaus, is always associated with Joachimsthal in Bohemia, just over the mountains from Saxony. The town was not of importance till the mines began to be extensively worked about 1516. Whether Herman was a native of this place is not known, but he was apparently there in 1518, and was certainly in office there in 1524. For many years he held the post of Master in the Latin School, and Cantor or Organist and Choirmaster in the church. Towards the end of his life he suffered greatly from gout, and had to resign even his post as Cantor a number of years before his death. He died at Joachimsthal, May 3, 1561. (Koch, i. 390-398; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, xii. 186-188, &c.)
He was a great friend and helper of J. Mathesius (q.v.)… Go to person page >
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