Concert Band

The Long Day Closes

by Sir Arthur Sullivan

Grade 1 | 4 Mins

Before Sullivan (1842-1900) began his hugely successful collaboration with W. S. Gilbert on their famous series of operettas, he wrote much instrumental, chamber and orchestral music, church anthems and around 20 secular part songs. 

In 1868, he published a set of Seven Part Songs for male voice choir, two of which had bespoke lyrics by H. F. Chorley (1808-1872). Of these, The Long Day Closes has endured in the popular repertoire of many male voice and mixed choirs. The words are somewhat morbid, likening the dark hours at the end of the day to the dark days as one nears death and feels that one’s life’s work is done; but perhaps despite this rather austere mood, the melody is justly popular because of its combination of hushed hymn-like reverence and emotional intensity.