The other day, in combing through a 50-year-old stash of letters in search of a particular missive, I came across a poem typed on a frail, yellowing page.
Entitled “The Christian’s Goodnight,” it had clearly been turned out on my mother’s 1938 Smith-Corona manual typewriter. (Is it odd that I’d recognize her typing anywhere?)
Wondering if my mom had composed the words herself, I did some research and learned that no, it had apparently been written 150 years ago by a Christian named Sarah Doudney; she had published it in 1871 in a book entitled Psalms of Life. I learned, too, that a number of slightly different versions exist today – including versions set to music attributed to an F.A. and J.E. Sankey.
A few things about this poem are fairly certain: “The Christian’s Goodnight” has been sung at funerals from the Bahamas to Yorkshire, including the funeral of Charles “the prince of preachers” Spurgeon. It is said to be used as a “lowering down” song in some areas, as the casket is being placed in the grave.
But even these details are a bit muddled. One commentator called the hymn’s origins and history “tangled,” saying it deserved in-depth investigation.
I suppose those details matter less than the message of these lovely (and very biblical) words. Its lyrics are bound to be tremendously encouraging to any Christian who has buried loved ones. After all, as Doudney wrote in introducing the poem in Psalms of Life, "The early Christians were accustomed to bid their dying friends 'Good night!' so sure were they of awakening at the Resurrection morning." And we modern Christians are no less certain of many joyful reunions and happily ever afters.
I hope you enjoy these lines as much as I do.
The Christian's Goodnight
Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon the Savior’s breast;
We loved thee well, but Jesus loves thee best
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Calm is thy slumber as an infant’s sleep;
But thou shall wake no more to toil and weep;
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until the shadows from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last;
Until the twilight gloom be over past
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until the Easter glory lights the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until, made beautiful by love divine,
Thou, in the likeness of thy Lord shall shine,
And He shall bring that golden crown of thine
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Only Good night, beloved, not farewell!
A little while, and all His saints shall dwell
In hallowed unison indivisible
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until we meet again before His throne,
Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own,
Until we know even as we are known
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Entitled “The Christian’s Goodnight,” it had clearly been turned out on my mother’s 1938 Smith-Corona manual typewriter. (Is it odd that I’d recognize her typing anywhere?)
Wondering if my mom had composed the words herself, I did some research and learned that no, it had apparently been written 150 years ago by a Christian named Sarah Doudney; she had published it in 1871 in a book entitled Psalms of Life. I learned, too, that a number of slightly different versions exist today – including versions set to music attributed to an F.A. and J.E. Sankey.
A few things about this poem are fairly certain: “The Christian’s Goodnight” has been sung at funerals from the Bahamas to Yorkshire, including the funeral of Charles “the prince of preachers” Spurgeon. It is said to be used as a “lowering down” song in some areas, as the casket is being placed in the grave.
But even these details are a bit muddled. One commentator called the hymn’s origins and history “tangled,” saying it deserved in-depth investigation.
I suppose those details matter less than the message of these lovely (and very biblical) words. Its lyrics are bound to be tremendously encouraging to any Christian who has buried loved ones. After all, as Doudney wrote in introducing the poem in Psalms of Life, "The early Christians were accustomed to bid their dying friends 'Good night!' so sure were they of awakening at the Resurrection morning." And we modern Christians are no less certain of many joyful reunions and happily ever afters.
I hope you enjoy these lines as much as I do.
The Christian's Goodnight
Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon the Savior’s breast;
We loved thee well, but Jesus loves thee best
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Calm is thy slumber as an infant’s sleep;
But thou shall wake no more to toil and weep;
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until the shadows from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last;
Until the twilight gloom be over past
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until the Easter glory lights the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until, made beautiful by love divine,
Thou, in the likeness of thy Lord shall shine,
And He shall bring that golden crown of thine
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Only Good night, beloved, not farewell!
A little while, and all His saints shall dwell
In hallowed unison indivisible
Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until we meet again before His throne,
Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own,
Until we know even as we are known
Good night! Good night! Good night!
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