Evening Hymn - Henry Balfour Gardiner (Sung in English)

Westminster Choir College
Princeton, New Jersey
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Seventy-Third Annual Commencement
Joseph Flummerfelt, Conductor
2002

[@andyluke5010]

These were the words I learnt back in the 1970s when at Catholic School in the UK. I absolutely loved this setting. The words are still slightly different from those performed here, but they are definitely an English version:
Thee, Lord, before the close of day,
Maker of all things, thee we pray
for thy dear loving kindness’ sake,
to guard and guide us in thy way.
Banish the dreams that terrify
and night’s fantastic company.
Keep us from Satan’s tyranny.
Defend us from unchastity.
Protect us, Father God adored,
thou too, co-equal Son and Lord,
thou Holy Ghost, our Advocate,
whose reign can know nor bound nor date.
Amen.

[@robedlin-white179]

We sung this translation at Southwell Minster in my treble days (around 1970) under Kenneth Beard. The recording here substitutes another word (can't really hear what it is) for "unchastity".
It's become fashionable now in the UK (perhaps slightly pretentious) to sing this in Latin. Balfour Gardiner wrote it with both English and Latin texts in mind I believe.

[@margaretellis3798]

The final "Amen" - I think the best ever written - is like the sea of Faith washing on the shores of Eternity.

[@colpoyswood]

At last! A recording in English with those wonderful words - banish the dreams that terrify.

[@RichardDenemy]

At last, indeed! Took some finding...

[@hoorooblu]

Composer was great uncle of John Eliot Gardiner.

[@jamesreynolds7334]

Yay English is the best!