Poem by Charles Dickens

A Child’s Hymn
Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father,
Ere I lay me down to sleep;
Bid Thy angels, pure and holy,
Round my bed their vigil keep.

       My sins are heavy, but Thy mercy
       Far outweighs them, every one;
       Down before Thy cross I cast them,
       Trusting in Thy help alone.

       Keep me through this night of peril
       Underneath its boundless shade;
       Take me to  Thy rest, I pray Thee,
       When my pilgrimage is made.

       None shall measure out Thy patience
       By the span of human thought;
       None shall bound the tender mercies
       Which Thy Holy Son has bought.

       Pardon all my past transgressions,
       Give me strength for days to come;
       Guide and guard me with Thy blessing
       Till Thy angels bid me home.