Hinunter ist der Sonnen Schein.
Sunk is the sun’s last beam of light,
And now the world is wrapt in night.
Christ, light us with Thy heavenly ray,
Nor let our feet in darkness stray.
Thanks, Lord, that Thou throughout the day
Hast kept all grief and harm away;
That angels tarried round about
Our coming in and going out.
Whate’er of wrong we’ve done or said,
Let not the charge on us be laid;
That, through Thy free forgiveness blest,
In peaceful slumber we may rest.
Thy guardian angels round us place
All evil from our couch to chase;
Our soul and body, while we sleep,
In safety, gracious Father, keep.
Nicolaus Hermann, 1560.
Tr. Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1841.