Hymnal: The Christian Hymnal
Date: 1871
Compiler: Under direction of the Christian Hymn-Book Committee
Publisher/Printer: Bosworth Chase & Hall
First Line: Why do we mourn departing friends
Topic: The New Life/Afflictions
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: CM
Tune: China
Hymn Number: 693
Page Number: 253, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhy do we mourn departing friends,
Or shake at death's alarms?
'T is but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to his arms.
Are we not tending upward, too,
As fast as time can move?
Now would we wish the time more slow
To keep us from our Love.
Why should we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb?
'T was there the flesh of Jesus lay,
Amid its silent gloom.
The graves of all the saints be blest,
And softened every bed;
Where should the dying members rest,
But with their dying Head?
Thence he arose, ascending high,
And showed our feet the way;
Up to the Lord our souls shall fly,
At the great rising day.
Then let the last loud trumpet sound,
And bid our kindred rise:
Awake, ye nations under ground;
Ye saints, ascend the skies.