Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church ‎#504

504. It is not death to die

1 It is not death to die--
To leave this weary road,
And 'midst the brotherhood on high,
To be at home with God.

2 It is not death to close
The eye long dimmed by tears,
And wake in glorious repose
To spend eternal years.

3 It is not death to bear
The wrench that sets us free
From dungeon chain, to breathe the air
Of boundless liberty.

4 It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust,
And rise on strong exulting wing
To live among the just.

5 Jesus, Thou Prince of Life,
Thy chosen cannot die:
Like Thee, they conquer in the strife,
To reign with Thee on high.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: It is not death to die
• Author: H. A. Cèsar Malan (1832)
• Translator: George Washington Bethune (1847)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: The Life Everlasting: Death
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: MOCCAS
• Composer: Alexander R. Reinagle (1799-1877)
• Meter: S. M.
• Key: F Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain.