’Twas night indeed; their darkest night;
They deemed it their last night with Him:
Yet, ere they left the chamber bright,
We read that they all sang a hymn.
Their hearts were sad; they would be left:
He whom they loved would soon be
gone:
And they, benighted and bereft,
Would have Him not — to lean upon.
And yet they sang, with voices brave,
And strengthened each his brother
friend:
Their sky was dark, the issue grave;
Their future none could comprehend.
They sang: and if some eyes were dim —
If choking sense nigh stilled the song,
Perchance they may have strengthened
Him —
So soon to meet the rabble throng.
“They sang” — thus speaks the record
true;
“They sang a hymn” that darkest night!
And soul of mine, do thou sing too,
Should tragic mysteries steal thy light.
J. Danson-Smith