Henry Twells: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

At Even, Ere the Sun Was Set

Henry Twells

“At Even, Ere the Sun Was Set” as printed in The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918).

Henry Twells: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1918 · historical text
Public domainSoldier songHistorical song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

At even, ere the sun was set,

The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;

O in what divers pains they met!

O with what joy they went away!

Verse 2

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.

Verse 3

O Saviour 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

Verse 4

And some are pressed with worldy care,

And some are tried with sinful doubt;

And some such grievous passions tear

That only Thou canst cast them out;

Verse 5

And some have found the world is vain,

Yet from the world they break not free;

And some have friends who give them pain,

Yet have not sought a friend in Thee.

Verse 6

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.

Verse 7

O Saviour Christ, Thou too art Man;

Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried;

Thy kind but searching glance can scan

The very wounds that shame would hide!

Verse 8

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 Amen.

Credits

Written by Henry Twells

Words by Henry Twells. Historical text published in The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918), “At Even, Ere the Sun Was Set”

The 1918 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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