Morning Hymn

When breaks the day, and dawn grows bright,
Christ nearer seems, the Light of Light:
From us, like shades that nighttime brings,
Drive forth, O Lord, all darksome things.

Earth’s dusky veil is torn away,
Pierced by the sparkling beams of day;
Our life resumes its hues apace,
Soon as the Daystar shows His face.

So Thee, O Christ, alone we seek,
With conscience pure and temper meek:
With tears and chants we humbly pray
That Thou wouldst guide us through each day.

For many’a shade obscures each sense
Which needs Thy beams to purge it thence;
Light of the Morning Star, Thy grace
Shed on us from Thy cloudless face.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

Tune: Emmanuel L.M.
Music: Carl C. N. Balle, 1806-1855
Text: Nox et tenebræ et nubila from the Cathemerinon of Prudentius, 384-413
Translation: Anonymous, in the public domain

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