'Tis Midnight, and on Olive's Brow

431 'Tis Midnight, and on Olive's Brow

1 'Tis midnight, and on Olive's brow
   The star is dimmed that lately shone;
   'Tis midnight, in the garden now
   The suffering Savior prays alone.

2 'Tis midnight, and from all removed,
   The Savior wrestles lone with fears;
   E'en that disciple whom He loved
   Heeds not his Master's grief and tears.

3 'Tis midnight, and for others' guilt
   The Man of Sorrows weeps in blood;
   Yet He that hath in anguish knelt
   Is not forsaken by His God.

4 'Tis midnight, and from heavenly plains
   Is borne the song that angels know;
   Unheard by mortals are the strains
   That sweetly soothe the Savior's woe.
                         William B. Tappan
                         The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition