The Night Cometh,Annie Louisa Walker Best known by the name Annie Louisa Walker this writer later published work under her married name Annie Louisa Coghill. She was born in England but moved to Canada while a young girl, remaining there for about ten years before returning to her homeland. She was primarily an author of fiction but also published at least two collections of poetry.
Much of her poetry contained religious themes and one of her most famous verses was called The Night Cometh which was adapted into a popular hymn and renamed Work, For the Night is Coming. It seems that she missed out on the royalties for this because the hymn was published as anonymous at first, and then wrongly credited to someone else.
The Night Cometh by Annie Louisa Walker
Work! for the night is coming;
Work! through the morning hours;
Work! while the dew is sparkling;
Work! ‘mid the springing flowers;
Work! while the day grows brighter,
Under the glowing sun;
Work! for the night is coming,–
Night, when man’s work is done.
Work! for the night is coming;
Work! through the sunny noon;
Fill the bright hours with labour,
Rest cometh sure and soon.
Give to each flying minute
Something to keep in store;
Work! for the night is coming,–
Night, when man works no more.
Work! for the night is coming;
Under the sunset skies,
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work! for the daylight flies;
Work! till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work! while the night is darkening,–
Night, when man’s work is o’er.
