The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #6645   Message #1015033
Posted By: Burke
08-Sep-03 - 07:06 PM
Thread Name: Lyr/Tune Add: I Bid You Goodnight
Subject: Lyr add: Sleep on, beloved
Here's another message It has 4 verses that have been harvested, but there are more at
Cyberhymnal.

Sleep on, belovèd, sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon the Savior's breast;
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best—
Good night! Good night! Good night!

Calm is thy slumber as an infant's sleep;
But thou shalt wake no more to toil and weep;
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep—
Good night! Good night! Good night!

Until the shadows from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last;
Until the twilight gloom be over past—
Good night! Good night! Good night!

Until the Easter glory lights the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise—
Good night! Good night! Good night!

Until, made beautiful by love divine,
Thou, in the likeness of thy Lord shalt shine,
And He shall bring that golden crown of thine—
Good night! Good night! Good night!

Only "Good night," belovèd—not "farewell!"
A little while, and all His saints shall dwell
In hallowed unison indivisible—
Good night! Good night! Good night!

Until we meet again before His throne,
Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own,
Until we know even as we are known—
Good night! Good night! Good night!

Words: Sarah Doudney, Psalms of Life (published by Houlston), 1871.
Music: Ira D. Sankey, 1884.

Doudney wrote the lyrics on the occasion of a friend's death. Sankey saw them while in Bristol, England, and wrote music for them shortly thereafter. The song was sung at the funeral of preacher Charles H. Spurgeon.