New words to a public domain tune, useful for reminding people to change their clocks at the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. Churches have found this little hymn to be surprisingly useful for that "Spring ahead" time change. Some send the lyrics out in an e-mail to all church members. Some include the lyrics in the bulletin the Sunday before the time change. And in some churches, the choir sings this during the announcements the Sunday before. Permission is granted for any of these uses and any other use as long as my name stays on any copies. The tune, BUNESSAN, is the same one used for "Morning Has Broken" and "Child in a Manger."

For accompaniment, see my score here on Score Exchange "Father in Heaven." BUNESSAN is also in many church hymnals.

Here are the lyrics:

DARKNESS IN MORNING Hymn for the Start of Daylight Saving Time

Darkness in morning, sunlight in evening

It’s Daylight Saving Time of the year

Make your alarm sound one hour earlier

Or you’ll be tardy when you appear.

What is an hour less of your sleeping?

Can it compare to worshiping God?

If you come in part way through the sermon

People might think you’re just a bit odd.

Don’t miss the singing, don’t miss the praying,

Don’t miss the reading of scripture texts.

Don’t let the time change keep you from rising,

Or interfere with your faithfulness.

Music: Traditional Gaelic

Words: 2013 Mary Rose Jensen

Permission is granted for any use and copying as long as my name remains attached.

A note on my purposes in writing this silly little text: 1) As a fun reminder of when the time change begins. 2) Acknowledgement that it is indeed harder to get out of bed the morning after losing an hour of sleep. 3) Encouragement that worship is worth the extra effort.