Meanings of “Darkest Hour Is Just Before the Dawn”
The phrase/proverb “darkest hour is just before the dawn” means that there is always a ray of hope even in the worst situations, or circumstances. The phrase is used to give hope to someone who is not sure about the results of their efforts. The meaning is similar to the proverb: There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Origin of “Darkest Hour Is Just Before the Dawn”
The phrase/proverb “darkest hour is just before the dawn” is stated to have been originated from a book, A Pisgahsight of Palestine and the Confines Thereof, written by a historian, Thomas Fuller. The book was first published back in 1650. The phrase/proverb in the book goes thus; “It is always darkest just before the Day dawneth.” Later the spellings were standardized in modern usage.
Examples in Literature
Example #1
The Darkest Hour Is Just Before The Dawn by Mara Salvatrucha Demon
“they tell me Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
every single day life seems to get colder
trying get power and money By any means possible
i Bury my head in the sand
cause i Refuse to confront or acknowledge a problem
its hard to make you understand
stress is stuck to me like a wrist band
The darkest hour is just before the dawn
will anyone care when i’m gone.”
These lines discuss the things that the poet comes across in her everyday life about beauty, money, her escape from, reality like an ostrich. However, it seems that the speaker is talking to somebody addressing the person with “you” to state that her situation is not good but then reassures herself that “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” The phrase is used as a metaphor for hope.
Example #2
Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn by Emmylou Harris
“The sun is slowly sinkin’
The day’s almost gone
Still darkness falls around us
And we must journey onThe darkest hour is just before dawn
The narrow way leads home
Lay down your soul at Jesus’ feet
The darkest hour is just before dawnLike a shepherd out on the mountain
A-watchin’ the sheep down below
He’s coming back to claim us
Will you be ready to go.”
These lines of the song discuss theological underpinnings, which becomes obvious when the singer alludes to the feet of Jesus after using this phrase to add that even when there is darkness, Jesus is our savior. She goes on to allude to the shepherd to state again that He is coming back to claim us. The phrase is used as a metaphor for hope for man’s salvation.
Example #3
The Darkest Hour by Candace N. Coonan
“We are in our darkest hour!” Sparks tinkled fearfully. “Now is the time for dawn to break! Just like Oliver said before, the darkest hour is jut before dawn! Please Alice, don’t let go! Don’t let him win! Fight! For everything you’ve suffered, fight!” The crystal tears were flowing down her delicate features. “Together we’ll beat him! I’ll transfer th9e power when I see the time is right. Can you hear me Alice? She stared intently into my eyes. “Use the Crown now!”
In this passage the narrator is reassuring Alice, alluding to Oliver who has just talked to her to state that, though, they are in the worst situation at that time, but that she should not lose heart. The narrator also asks her to be strong, and after sympathizing with her says that she should not win the person in question and act upon the advice of Oliver. The phrase has been used as a metaphor for hope.
Example #4
Dawn’s Darkest Hour by Sylvia A. Witmore
Nicole could feel the reassuring strength and solid grip of his hand touching her. Silently, she thank fate for sending him to her when she needed him the most during the terrible, dark hour just before dawn that early morning.
She shuddered again. “I don’t ever want to have to go through anything like this.”
The excerpt talks about Nicole reaching out to the narrator to help her, who is thanking him for his help at this critical juncture. The phrase is used with direct and intended meaning in this passage.
Example in Sentences
Example #1: “Patricia slept that night with the hope to get the job next week. She believed that the darkest hour is just before the dawn.”
Example #2: “The teacher reminded all the students not to be disappointed when the prom was canceled due to pandemic. She arranged a virtual gathering and told them that the darkest hour is just before the dawn.”
Example #3: “… ‘Is the darkest hour just before the dawn?’ asked Martin. He wasn’t sure what will happen as his business was closed for a year now.”
Example #4: “If a tyrant country is plotting to take over the neighboring countries. They must remember that the darkest hour is just before dawn and unite. Their unity with saving their country’s sovereignty.”
Example #5: “Finally, when Gordon recalled that it is the darkest hour just before the dawn, he woke up and began to write the next chapter.”
