Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh, When the bird waketh and the shadows flee; Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight, Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee. Alone with Thee, amid the mystic shadows The solemn hush of nature newly born; Alone with Thee, in breathless adoration, In the calm dew and freshness of the morn. * * * * * When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber, Its closing eyes look up to Thee in prayer, Sweet the repose beneath Thy wings o'ershadowing, But sweeter still to wake and find Thee there. _THE TUNES._ Barnby's "Windsor," and "Stowe" by Charles H. Morse (1893)--both written to the words. Mendelssohn's "Consolation" is a classic interpretation of the hymn, and finely impressive when skillfully sung, but simpler--and sweeter to the popular ear--is Mason's "Henley," written to Mrs. Eslings'-- "Come unto me when shadows darkly gather." _EVENING HYMNS._ John Keble's beautiful meditation-- Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear; John Leland's-- The day is past and gone; and Phebe Brown's-- I love to steal awhile away; --have already been noticed. Bishop Doane's gentle and spiritual lines express nearly everything that a worshipping soul would include in a moment of evening thought. The first and last stanzas are the ones most commonly sung. Softly now the light of day Fades upon my sight away: Free from care, from labor free, Lord I would commune with Thee. * * * * * Soon for me the light of day Shall forever pass away; Then, from sin and sorrow free, Take me, Lord, to dwell with Thee. _THE TUNE._ Both Kozeluck and J.E. Gould, besides Louis M. Gottschalk and Dr. Henry John Gauntlett, have tried their skill in fitting music to this hymn, but only Gottschalk and Kozeluck approach the mood into which its quiet words charm a pious and reflective mind. Possibly its frequent association with "Holley," composed by George Hews, may influence a hearer's judgement of other melodies but there is something in that tune that makes it cling to the hymn as if by instinctive kinship. Others may have as much or more artistic music but "Holley" in its soft modulations seems to breathe the spirit of every word. It was this tune to which a stranger recently heard a group of mill-girls singing Bishop Doane's verses. The lady, a well-known Christian worker, visited a certain factory, and the superintendent, after showing her through the building, opened a door into a long work-room, where the singing of the girls delighted and surprised her. It was sunset, and their hymn was-- Softly now the light of day. Several of the girls were Sunday-school teachers, who had encouraged others to sing at that hour, and it had become a habit. "Has it made a difference?" the lady inquired.