The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended is about eternity in the “always” rather than the “forever” sense; the lyrics are about perseverance without letup as the Church continues her work night and day. Our arrangement for two octaves of handbells is Level 2+, and suitable for any service.
The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended / The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended / Thy praise shall hallow now our rest.
We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping / While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping / And rests not now by day or night.
As o’er each continent and island / The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent / Nor dies the strain of praise away.
The sun, that bids us rest, is waking / Our brethren ‘neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making / Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never / Like earth’s proud empires, pass away:
But stand, and rule, and grow for ever / Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.
Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
