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The Long Goodnight
- 07/03/10
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Earlier this week I was chatting with Matthew Smith, he of Indelible Grace fame. Matthew has just finished recording a new record (a personal album, not an Indelible Grace album) and he allowed me to listen to it. There was one song in particular that gripped me. The words come from an old German hymn of unknown authorship which was later translated by Jane Borthwick. It was printed in Hymns from the Land of Luther under the title “The Long Good-night” (originally “Ich fahr dahin mit Freuden”).
Matthew has adapted this into a beautiful song titled “Goodnight.” It is a song about the sadness of death but also the hope of resurrection and reunion. Here are the words and the embedded audio so you can listen in and read along. If you really like it, you can go here to buy it for just $0.99.
I journey forth rejoicing
From this dark vale of tears,
To heavenly joy and freedom,
From earthly bonds and fears;
Where Christ our Lord shall gather
All His redeemed again,
His kingdom to inherit.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!
Why thus so sadly weeping,
Beloved ones of my heart?
The Lord is good and gracious,
Though now He bids us part.
Oft have we met in gladness.
And we shall meet again,
All sorrow left behind us.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!
I go to see His glory,
Whom we have loved below:
I go, the blessed angels,
The holy saints to know.
Our lovely ones departed,
I go to find again,
And wait for you to join us.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!
I hear the Saviour calling,
The joyful hour has come:
The angel guards are ready
To guide me to our home,
Where Christ our Lord shall gather
All His redeemed again,
His kingdom to inherit.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!
Here also is a brief video of Matthew talking about the song:
Matthew Smith talks about the song “Goodnight” from Matthew Smith on Vimeo.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I write books and blogs for fun while doing web design and consulting for a living. I worship and serve at 
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Comments (13)
We expire, rather than die! Beautiful lyrics. Look forward to the song.
Wow! You are right, those lyrics grip you and set your attention on a better country, a better city, one not made with hands. Thanks for sharing!Even so Lord Jesus come quickly!
A little more abstract, but here’s one of my favorite songs about grief and loss. At least, that’s what I imagine it to be about. Guess I could be wrong. I get chills when the harmony comes in on “one day the stone will roll away”.
http://stereogum.com/79431/new_thom_yorke_-_all_for_the_best_stereogum_p…
My Mother-in-Law has been telling everyone that she’s “got her ticket and is just waiting for the train” which will probably be in the next day or two. (I think she’s waiting for July 4th so she can go home with a bang!) This song so speaks to her attitude and outlook these past few weeks. What an incredibly inspiring thing to watch a true believer prepare to go home.
Beautiful!
As the Pauper said, it “grips you and sets your attention on better county”. It does indeed, magnificently. Thank you so much Tim for bringing my attention to it and to Matthew Smith. I am now a fan. And the song, well it means more to me than I can express. When you loose loved ones every once in awhile you need reminded as to why even when you think you understand sometimes a wave comes over you and you don’t and then you find a song like this and you are reminded that it is about “better country” and they will be waiting. What glory and what a peace that gives me to rise out of thos sad moments. Bless you for the gift.
Wow! I love Matthew Smith and can’t wait for this album. This hymn is so moving . What a beautiful reminder that even though death is ugly , in Christ it has been defeated . I love the way this song has a victorious march . Awesome .
Great lyrics and a welcome reminder that our hope is eternal. The future joyfilled reunion with our departed loved ones in Christ can only be overshadowed by the reality that we will see Him face to face.
Matthew is a gifted communicator, both in song and in his in-concert teaching. I’m am excited to learn his long-awaited effort is nearing release.
When a song gives you great and hopeful truth coupled with great music, it is wonderful art. This song does that. Thanks.
The words are lovely but can anyone explain to me why the music to every contemporary song, whether secular or praise and worship sounds the same. Yesterday, before the Queen spoke in Winnipeg, there was a concert of Manitoba musicians for an hour and a half. The words changed between songs but the music never did. It sounded as though everyone was singing the same piece of music. Remarkably monotonous.
After that, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra came on and the difference between each of their tunes was wonderful, after the monotony we had endured.
I just don’t get it. Can anyone explain the musical point of what has developed in contemporary music?
Thanks.
Love it, Tim. Thanks for posting this. May the church gained a renewed view of the glory that waits for us in heaven and especially in the resurrection.
A very close friend of mine died last Friday.What a comfort to know that he has gone, “To heavenly joy and freedom,” and ” to see His glory, Whom we have loved below:”
Thanks Tim Challies, Matthew Smith and Martin Luther
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