Hymnal: The Christian Hymnal
Date: 1871
Compiler: Under direction of the Christian Hymn-Book Committee
Publisher/Printer: Bosworth Chase & Hall
First Line: They are going only going
Topic: The New Life/Aspirations
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer: W Bradbury
Meter: 8s and 7s double
Tune: Let Me Go
Hymn Number: 596
Page Number: 217, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsThey are going-only going-
Jesus called them long ago;
All the wintry time they're passing,
Softly as the falling snow.
When the violets, in the spring-time,
Catch the azure of the sky,
They are carried out to slumber
Sweetly where the violets lie.
They are going-only going-
When with summer earth is dressed,
In their cold hands holding roses
Folded to each silent breast;
When the autumn hangs red banners
Out above the harvest sheaves,
They are going-ever going-
Thick and fast, like falling leaves.
All along the mighty ages,
All adown the solemn time,
they have taken up their homeward
March to that serener clime,
Where the watching, waiting angels
Lead them from the shadow dim
To the brightness of his presence,
Who has called them unto him.
They are going-only going-
Out of pain and into bliss-
Out of sad and sinful weakness
Into perfect holiness.
Snowy brows-no care shall shade them;
Bright eyes-tears shall never dim;
Rosy lips-no time shall fade them:
Jesus called them unto him.
Little hearts forever stainless-
Little hands as pure as they-
Little feet by angels guided,
Never a forbidden way!
They are going-ever going-
Leaving many a lonely spot;
But 't is Jesus who has called them-
Suffer and forbid them not.