Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#449

449. 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,
And scattered all the gloom.

4 The graves of all the saints He blessed,
And softened every bed;
Where should the dying members rest,
But with the dying Head?

5 Thence He arose, ascending high,
And showed our feet the way;
Up to the Lord we, too, 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: 1893
• Topic: Death and Burial
• Notes: Now Public Domain. I. Watts.

Tune Information

(No tune information)