Words: , 1867; ap­peared in Dean How­son’s Select­ion of Hymns Com­piled for use in Che­ster Ca­thed­ral, 1868.

Music: Swa­bia, , in Da­vids Harpf­fen-Spiel (Hei­del­berg, Ger­ma­ny: 1745); ar­ranged by , 1847. Al­ter­nate tunes:

  • Dominica, , 1874
  • Green­wood, , 1849

This is the day of light:
Let there be light today;
O Dayspring, rise upon our night
And chase its gloom away.

This is the day of rest:
Our failing strength renew;
On weary brain and troubled breast
Shed Thou Thy freshening dew.

This is the day of peace:
Thy peace our spirits fill;
Bid Thou the blasts of discord cease,
The waves of strife be still.

This is the day of prayer:
Let earth to heaven draw near;
Lift up our hearts to seek Thee there,
Come down to meet us here.

This is the first of days;
Send forth Thy quick’ning breath,
And wake dead souls to love and praise,
O Vanquisher of death!