Dark Fall The Hours This Winter-Tide

The Bridegroom Coming at Midnight

For Second Advent

Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1865)

Music: Not Stated
Meter: 886 886

Source: William Chatterton Dix, ed., A Vision of All Saints (London: John Hodges, 1871), pp. 40-41.

1. Dark fall the hours this winter-tide,
Strange silence reigns on every side,
    And day seems wrapt in gloom,
Save few short hours, which, all too brief,
Light up bare tree and fallen leaf,
    Then fade in hapless doom.

2. Now let each lamp be burning bright,
Lest, unaware, the sudden night
    Enshroud us in the dark,
And we in vain, through snow and cold,
With wavering feet, seek out the Fold,
    And Love's all-sheltering Ark.

3. O silent hours of wintry days,
From summer's joy and golden rays,
    From autumn's harvest-song,
The Bridegroom Coming at Midnight.
We turn to you, for ye reveal
    The waiting Bride, and make us feel
    The Bridegroom comes ere long.

Note.

First appeared in W. Chatterton Dix, ed., Christmas Carols & Christmas Customs (No publisher, location or date; ca. 1870). The only difference was in verse 3, line 6, "bid us feel." He noted "Music by 'Catholicus.' "

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