The Christian's Goodnight

By Sarah Doudney

Lyrics

1. Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast;
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best--
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
2. Calm is thy slumber as an infant's sleep;
But thou shalt wake no more to toil and weep:
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep--
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
3. Until the shadows from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,
Until the twilight gloom be over past--
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
4. Until the Easter glory lights the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise--
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!

Bible Reference

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14

About This Hymn

"The Christian's Goodnight" is a poignant hymn composed by Sarah Doudney in 1871. Doudney, an English writer known for her novels and hymns, penned this piece as a comforting farewell for those who have passed away. The hymn's lyrics express the hope of resurrection and eternal rest, drawing inspiration from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14, which speaks of the hope Christians have for those who have died in Christ.

The hymn was set to music by Ira D. Sankey in 1884. Sankey, a prominent American gospel singer and composer, is well-known for his association with evangelist Dwight L. Moody. His musical arrangement of Doudney's lyrics has contributed to the hymn's enduring popularity.

"The Christian's Goodnight" has been included in various hymnals, such as "Soul-stirring Songs and Hymns" (1989 edition) and "The Cyber Hymnal," reflecting its enduring appeal in Christian worship. Its message continues to resonate, offering comfort and hope to believers facing the loss of loved ones.

Staff Visualizer

Powered by HTML MIDI PLAYER, MIDI FILE Made by Hymnal Library.

Hymn Sheet for The Christian's Goodnight
Stay updated with hymns and devotionals

📬 Subscribe to Our Devotional Updates

Receive weekly hymns, devotionals, and website features directly in your inbox.

✅ Thank you! You'll start receiving our updates soon.

Hymn Information

image of The Christian's Goodnight of Sarah Doudney
  • Category: Hymn
  • Author/Writer: Sarah Doudney (1871)
  • Added: September 15, 2025
  • Last Updated: September 15, 2025
  • Views: 249

Sheet Music

Sheet music for The Christian's Goodnight by Sarah Doudney
Download Sheet Music Image View Full Size

MIDI File

Ready to load
Download MIDI

Hymns from 1871

Show more hymns from 1871

Recent Blog Posts

View All Blog Posts

Visit Us on Social Media

Latest from X (Twitter)
Latest from Facebook

Latest on YouTube

Loading latest video...
Learn Piano Tutorials on this Channel

Daily Bible Verse

Disclaimer

The hymns, sheet music, MIDI files, and related content on this website are provided for educational and research purposes only.

  • Public Domain: Many of the hymns featured here are in the public domain and may be freely used.
  • Copyrighted Works: Some hymns may still be under copyright protection. Where applicable, permission has either been requested from the copyright owner, or the content is shared under the principles of fair use for educational purposes.

⚠️ Important Notice: If you wish to reproduce, distribute, or use any copyrighted hymn beyond personal study or educational use, you must obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. This website does not grant any rights for commercial use yet.

If there is any other question please address it to us in our Contact Page, for further assistance. Thank you for using the site. May God Bless You.