Comes the darkness

Comes the darkness, comes the night, 
Comes the time for human rest. 
Daily rush is put to flight, 
Though sometimes our minds protest,
And such cares are put away
‘Til the breaking of the day.

Yet for some this is untrue;
Darkness brings no time for sleep.
Labor that must yet be done, 
Midnight work hours forced to keep:
Hear our prayers this eventide,
With these workers, Lord, abide.

Night for some can bring no peace, 
Due to tortures of the mind.
Darkness will not bring release;
Only torment they will find.
Jesus, bring rest to their souls, 
‘Gainst the struggling mind’s controls.

Loneliness, another foe
Keeping weary hearts awake. 
Partners pass and children grow;
Left alone, no rest to take. 
Holy Spirit, rest and stay;
Drive such loneliness away.

For these to whom rest’s denied, 
Guide them and protect them well. 
We who now seek slumber’s tide
Let this resting night excel, 
So that we, at morning’s light,
May serve those of sleepless night.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024.

MUSIC: TUNE REDHEAD 76, Richard Redhead, 1853.

 

 

In essence, a prayer for those who don't get to sleep at night. Partly inspired after the Baltimore bridge disaster, perhaps?