The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Now the Day is Over
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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Night is drawing nigh;
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.
Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With thy tend'rest blessing
May our eyelids close.
The first verse of the hymn, "Now the Day is Over," by Sabine Baring-Gould, is a prayerful request to Jesus for the night's peaceful rest. The lyrics' somber tone and imagery are meant to convey the sense of peace and comfort that comes from giving oneself over to God at the end of each day. The phrase "night is drawing nigh" implies the approach of sleep, while "shadows of the evening steal across the sky" adds to the sense of quiet and stillness.
The second half of the verse moves into an acknowledgment of weariness and fatigue, asking for rest through Jesus Christ. The line "give the weary calm and sweet repose" is a clear plea for relief from the day's burdens and stresses. The final line, "with thy tend'rest blessing may our eyelids close," brings the verse to a close with a tender request for divine protection and guidance during the upcoming night's rest.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the day is over;
The day has come to an end;
Night is drawing nigh;
The darkness is approaching;
Shadows of the evening
The dimness of the nightfall
Steal across the sky.
Slowly enveloping the skies
Jesus, give the weary
We request your kindness, Jesus
Calm and sweet repose;
Bring us restfulness and serenity
With thy tend'rest blessing
Bless us with your gentlest touch
May our eyelids close.
So that we may sleep in peace.
Writer(s): Harris, Barnby, S. Baring Gould
Contributed by Lucy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.