Now, on land and sea descending

Now, on land and sea descending. Samuel Longfellow* (1819-1892). This evening hymn first appeared under the title ‘Creator Alme Siderum’ (‘Creator of the stars of night’*) in Vespers: according to the use of the New Chapel, Brooklyn (New York, 1859) a collection of psalms, canticles, acts of worship, prayers, and hymns compiled by Longfellow for the Sunday vesper services of the Second Unitarian Society, Brooklyn, New York, where he was pastor. The original 87.87 D text did not include the joyous ‘Jubilate! Amen!’ which is a hallmark of the hymn in its present form. The 1859 version was as follows: Now, on land and sea descending Brings the night its peace profound; Let our vesper hymn be...