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