Celtic Compline

This is set to O'Carolan's "Farewell to Music" 

and can be sung (or recited) by alternating sides, or male/female voices.

CELTIC COMPLINE

 

1

The quiet darkness blankets the land

and God's infinite glory seems right at my hand

As I look to creation can my heart understand

the vastness of stars or the small grain of sand?

2

For the mighty Love that creates this world

And the ongoing Love that sustains

can reach to the end of the universe

while it touches our hills and our plains.

1

And as night embraces all those who sleep

or measures the moments of the vigil we keep

we confess our day and rejoice or weep

as we give to our God all we sow, all we reap.

2

As the moonlight shines on a darkened town

or glistens on ocean waves

or gently pushes its light through the trees

or kisses the mouths of caves

1

As dogs may howl to greet the moon

And children nestle to their mother's croon

or the last "I love you" is said too soon,

still, the lark in its nest prepares its new tune.

2

For the circle of life begins where it ends

though the night seem as dark as a tomb

for our Faith and our Hope are grounded in Love

thus the dark night becomes a womb.

1 

For Love will bring forth a light for our day

to bless and to guide all we do, all we say.

This Love will bring forth a Light for our way

that we may not stumble and our path may not stray.

1 & 2

So we sleep now in peace trusting in Love

while commending all to God's care

embracing the darkness with Faith, Hope and Love

secure that our God is there. 

Copyright 1996, Cáit Finnegan