Poem

"He Giveth His Beloved Sleep"

by A. B. (Banjo) Paterson · 1902

The long day passes with its load of sorrow: In slumber deep I lay me down to rest until to-morrow — Thank God for sleep.
Thank God for all respite from weary toiling, From cares that creep Across our lives like evil shadows, spoiling God's kindly sleep.
We plough and sow, and, as the hours grow later, We strive to reap, And build our barns, and hope to build them greater Before we sleep.
We toil and strain and strive with one another In hopes to heap Some greater share of profit than our brother Before we sleep.
What will it profit that with tears or laughter Our watch we keep? Beyond it all there lies the Great Hereafter! Thank God for sleep!
For, at the last, beseeching Christ to save us, We turn with deep Heart-felt thanksgiving unto God, who gave us The Gift of Sleep.
Sources, publication & text notesReference details
Canonical recordPOEM-000963
Copy-textRio Grande’s Last Race and Other Verses (1902), Project Gutenberg ebook 304; selected copy-text retained exactly; substantive wording and line/stanza layout independently confirmed against SRC-000075 under D-180
Source recordSRC-000122
Rights determinationRGT-000920
Text statusCANONICAL TEXT READY
TranscriptionDIPLOMATIC_D208_D180

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While The Billy Boils · Public-domain text · www.whilethebillyboils.com.au/poems/he-giveth-his-beloved-sleep

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