Dark night has drawn her curtain round,

And hid earth’s hues in gloom profound;

Now contrite at Thy feet we fall,

And make request, Thou Judge of all,

That Thou wouldst hide the guilt of sin,

And throughly purge our hearts within—

O Christ, dispense Thy grace, we pray,

To keep us guiltless day by day.

The awakened conscience, sore oppressed

By thought of sin all unconfessed,

Yearns in the gloom, to cast her load

At Thy blest feet, Redeemer, God.

Dispel the darkness, Lord, we pray,

That in our mind holds dismal sway;

Send forth Thy light, and bid us rest

In Thy calm peace, for ever blest.