Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns
Date: 1818
Compiler: Rice Haggard
Publisher/Printer: John Norvell
First Line: Why do we mourn departing friends
Topic: Funeral Hymns
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: CM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 160
Page Number: 160, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhy do we mourn departing friends,
Or shake at death's alarms?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends,
To call them to his arms.
Are we not tending upwards too,
As fast as time can move?
Nor should we wish the hours more slow,
To keep us from our love.
Why should we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb?
There the dear flesh of Jesus lay,
And left a long perfume.
The graves of all the saints be blessed,
And softened every bed,
Where should the dying members rest,
But with the dying Head.
Thence he arose, ascended high,
And showed our feet the way;
Up to the Lord or flesh 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."