We Lay Us down to Sleep
We lay us calmly down to sleep
We lay us calmly down to sleepWhen friendly night is come, and leaveTo God the rest;Whether we wake to smile or weep,Or wake no more on time's fair shore,He knoweth best,He knoweth best.
O Father, bless in love thy child!We lay us down to sleep.
As sinks the sun in western skiesWhen day is done, and twilight dimComes silent on,So fades the world's most luring prizeOn eyes that close in deep reposeTill wakes the dawn,Till wakes the dawn.
Why vex our souls with wearing care?Why shun the grave, for aching headSo cool and low?Have we found life so passing fair,So grand to be, so sweet that weShould dread to go?Should dread to go?
Some other hand the task can take,If so it seemeth best,—the taskBy us begun;No work for which we need to wakeIn joy or grief, for life so brief,Beneath the sun,Beneath the sun.