Chalice Hymnal ‎#645

645. I Cannot Think of Them as Dead

1 I cannot think of them as dead,
who walk with me no more;
along the path of life I tread
they are but gone before,
they are but gone before.

2 And still their silent ministry
within my heart hath place,
as when on earth they walked with me,
and met me face to face,
and met me face to face.

3 Their lives are made forever mine;
what they to have been
has left henceforth its seal and sign
engraven deep within,
engraven deep within.

4 Mine are they by an ownership
nor time nor death can free;
for God hath given to love to keep
its own eternally,
its own eternally.

Text Information

• First Line: I cannot think of them as dead
• Title: I Cannot Think of Them as Dead
• Author: Frederick L. Hosmer (1882)
• Meter: 86.866
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Topic: Life of Discipleship: Death and Eternal Life; God's Church: Life of Discipleship: Death and Eternal Life; Death; Eternal Life; Funerals and Memorial Services

Tune Information

• Name: DISTANT BELOVED
• Composer: W. Frederick Wooden (1992)
• Meter: 86.866
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Music © 1992 Unitarian Universalist Association