Book of Worship (Rev. ed.) ‎#558

558. Why do we mourn departing friends?

1 Why do we mourn departing friends?
Or shake at death’s alarms?
’Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to His arms.

2 Are we not tending upward too,
As fast as time can move?
Nor would we wish the hours more slow,
To keep us from our love.

3 Why should we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb?
There the dear flesh of Jesus lay,
His light dispel'd its gloom.

4 The graves of all His saints He bless'd,
And soften'd every bed;
Where should the dying members rest,
But with the dying Head?

5 Thence He arose, ascending high,
And show'd our feet the way;
Up to the Lord our flesh shall fly,
At the great rising-day.

6 Then let the last loud trumpet sound,
And bid our kindred rise;
Awake, ye nations under ground;
Ye saints, ascend the skies.

Text Information

• First Line: Why do we mourn departing friends?
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1870
• Topic: Burial; Death; Death: of a friend; Resurrection: of Men
• Notes: Author from index: Watts

Tune Information

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