Compline Ghosts

Sung Compline at St Mary's tonight, it's always one of my favourite services in the church. No matter what kind of day I have had this service always calms my spirit.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world we pray,
That with thy wonted favour thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.

Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Compline, Night Prayer, or Prayers at the End of the Day, is the final service or "Office" of the day within the Christian tradition of canonical hours, a daily pattern of seven services. Starting with "Matins" (morning prayer), followed by "Lauds", "Terce" at midmorning, "Sext" at midday, "None" midafternoon, "Vespers" being evening prayer and concluding with "Compline" as the final night office. In monasteries it became the custom to begin the "Great Silence" after Compline, when the whole community, including guests, observe silence throughout the night until the first office next day.