After labour sweet is rest,

Gently the wearied eyelids close;

As an infant sleeps on his mother’s breast,

The child of God may in peace repose.

Whether we sleep, or whether we wake,

We are His who gave His life for our sake.

He to whom darkness is as light,

Tenderly guards his slumbering sheep;

The Shepherd watches His flock by night,

The feeble lambs He will safely keep.

Whether we sleep, or whether we wake,

We are His who gave His life for our sake.

Death’s night comes,—it may now be near,—

Lord! if our faith be fixed on Thee,

Oh! how calm will that rest appear,

Oh! how sweet will the waking be!

Whether we sleep, or whether we wake,

We are His who gave His life for our sake.