I

Light in the dark, before the dawn awaking

Brings in the east the growing light of day,

Comes to the soul that, earthly lights forsaking,

Lives in the light that never dies away.

II

Here, light and dark, and sun, and cloud, and sadness,

Come to the soul that makes the world its all;

There, endless noon, and unabating gladness,

Reign in a realm where night can never fall.

III

Live in my soul, O Light of lights supernal,

Charged with the joy that rising morning gives;

Be Thou my foretaste of the light eternal,

Bright in the realm where joy unfailing lives.

IV

Christ, to my soul, be all my soul-desiring,

Seeks in a land where light and darkness come;

And, when set free, to fairer fields aspiring,

There let me find with Thee a lasting home.