'Tis Midnight

Words by Wm. B. Tappan Music by Virgil C, Taylor

“'Tis midnight; and on Olive's brow
The star is dimm'd that lately shone.”

The author of the words of this hymn, William Bingham Tappan, was born at Beverly, Mass., October 29, 1794. He was a Congregational minister and was engaged for many years in the service of the American Sunday-school Union. The hymn was first published in the author's ”Gems of Sacred Poetry,” in 1822, under the title, ”Gethsemane.” Mr. Tappan died in his native state in 1849.

The music to which the hymn is usually sung was written by Virgil C. Taylor.