An evening hymn

This was included with the Evening Prayer liturgy at Mission St. Clare tonight.

You can hear the tune at the Oremus Hymnal. Words: Henry Twells, 1868.

At even, ere the sun was set,

the sick, O Lord, around thee lay;

O, in what diverse pains they met!

O, with what joy they went away!

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Once more 'tis eventide, and we,

oppressed with various ills, draw near;

what if thy form we cannot see?

We know and feel that thou art here.

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O Savior Christ, our woes dispel;

for some are sick, and some are sad;

and some have never loved thee well,

and some have lost the love they had;

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and some have found the world is vain,

and yet from the world they break not free;

And some have friends who give them pain,

yet have not sought a friend in thee.

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And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,

for none are wholly free from sin;

And they who fain would serve thee best

are conscious most of wrong within.

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O Savior Christ, thou too art man;

thou has been troubled, tempted, tried;

thy kind but searching glance can scan

the very wounds that shame would hide.

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Thy touch has still its ancient power,

no word from thee can fruitless fall;

hear, in this solemn evening hour,

and in thy mercy heal us all.