The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Margaret Chandler/The Child's Evening Hymn

The Child's Evening Hymn
Father! while the daylight dies, Hear our grateful voices rise: For the blessings that we share, For thy kindness and thy care, For the joy that fills our breast; For the love that makes us blest, We thank thee, Father.

For an earthly father's arm, Shielding us from wrong and harm; For a mother's watchful cares, Mingled with her many prayers; For the happy kindred band, 'Midst whose peaceful links we stand, We bless thee, Father.

Yet while ‘neath the evening skies, Thus we bid our thanks arise, Father! still we think of those, Who are bow'd with many woes, Whom no earthly parent's arm Can protect from wrong and harm; The poor slaves, Father.

Ah! while we are richly blest, They are wretched and distrest! Outcasts in their native land, Crush'd beneath oppression's hand, Scarcely knowing even thee, Mighty Lord of earth and sea! Oh, save them, Father!

Touch the flinty hearts, that long Have, remorseless, done them wrong; Ope the eyes that long have been Blind to every guilty scene; That the slave—a slave no more— Grateful thanks to thee may pour, And bless thee, Father