Night - Greg Brown

The sun descending in the West

The evening star does shine;

The birds are silent in their nest

And I must seek for mine

The moon, like a flower

In heaven’s high bower

With silent delight

Sits and smiles on the night

Farewell, green fields and happy groves

Where flocks have took delight

Where lambs have nibbled, silent moves

The feet of angels bright;

Unseen, they pour blessing

And joy without ceasing

On each bud and blossom

And each sleeping bosom

They look in every thoughtless nest

Where birds are covered warm;

They visit caves of every beast

To keep them all from harm:

If they see any weeping

That should have been sleeping

They pour sleep on their head

And sit down by their bed

When wolves and tigers howl for prey

They pitying stand and weep;

Seeking to drive their thirst away

And keep them from the sheep

But, if they rush dreadful

The angels, most heedful

Receive each mild spirit

New worlds to inherit

And there the lion’s ruddy eyes

Shall flow with tears of gold:

And pitying the tender cries

And walking round the fold:

Saying: 'Wrath by His meekness

And, by His health, sickness

Is driven away

From our immortal day

'And now beside thee, bleating lamb

I can lie down and sleep

Or think on Him who bore thy name

Graze after thee, and weep

For, washed in life’s river

My bright mane for ever

Shall shine like the gold

As I guard o’er the fold