A Story on the Hymn, “Another Year Is Dawning,” by William Petersen

Admittedly, most verses on greeting cards are not very memorable, so sometimes Frances Ridley Havergal, the well-known British hymnwriter, sent a New Year’s poem to her friends that she had written herself. In 1872, when she was thirty-six years old, she wrote “Another Year Is Dawning,” printed it on a specially designed greeting card, and sent it to her friends. Over it was the caption, “A Happy New Year! Ever such may it be!”

Havergal always gave God the credit for her work, and she liked to refer to God as her King. When she was asked about the process by which she wrote her hymns, she replied, “I believe my King suggests a thought, and whispers me a musical line or two, and then I look up and thank him delightedly and go on with it. This is how my hymns come.”

Scriptures: Exodus 33:13-14; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 90:12
Themes: New Year’s, Seasonal, Hope

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Another year is dawning; dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training for holier work above,
Another year is dawning; dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.
By FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL (1836–1879)

Tune of the Hymn:
https://tinyurl.com/ydytvmgn

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 168). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.