New Year’s Morning Hymn

Hail to another year,
The year that now begins!

Hail to another year,
The year that now begins!
All hail to Him who led us here
Through dangers and through sins!

Hail to another year!
Peace to the year that’s past!
May this one at its close appear
Less worthless than the last!

Hail to another year!
Ere round its wheels are driven,
Each to the grave will stand more near
Will each be nearer heaven?

Hail to another year!
Ere half its race is sped,
Ourselves, with all we treasure here,
May rest among the dead.

Hail to another year!
Though yet unknown, untrod,
Whate’er may come, we need not fear,
If friends, through Christ, with God.

Hail to another year,
A year of peace and love!
Oh, may it prove a foretaste here
Of endless years above!

Henry Francis Lyte