Many years ago, I was in a church choir at St Michaels Church in Lichfield. We sang Evensong every week and this was a hymn which would come up fairly regularly. It was a favourite of my Mum's and became a favourite of mine as well, and it may be familiar as when we had a men's barbershop group at St Georges a few years ago, it was a piece we sang as a four part harmony.
It's almost a love poem, acknowledging the love God has for us as we begin to rest at the end of the day. As with many night and evening hymns, the words are also deeply reasurring when we lose a loved one.
And in the third verse, I've never quite heard a line in church which brings God so close in comforting us, Arms, so strong to clasp and hold me.
1 Round me falls the night;
Saviour, be my light:
through the hours in darkness shrouded
let me see thy face unclouded:
let thy glory shine
in this heart of mine.
2 Earthly work is done,
earthly sounds are none;
rest in sleep and silence seeking,
let me hear thee softly speaking;
in my spirit's ear
whisper, 'I am near.'
3 Blessèd, heav'nly light,
shining through earth's night;
voice, that oft of love hast told me;
arms, so strong to clasp and hold me;
thou thy watch wilt keep,
Saviour, o'er my sleep.
Andrew Hill
Dedicated to my Dad. Mike Hill, who died peacefully two days ago, on February 25th 2023.
