The Minstrel of Zion ‎#144

144. Departing friends

1 Friend after friend departs;
Who has not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts,
That finds not here an end.
Were this frail world our only rest,
Living or dying none were blest.

2 Beyond the flight of time,
Beyond the reign of death,
There surely is some blessed clime
Where life is not a breath;
Nor life's affections transient fire,
Whose sparks fly upward to expire.

3 There is a world above,
Where parting is unknown;
A long eternity of love,
Form'd for the good alone;
And faith beholds the dying here,
Translated to that glorious sphere.

4 Thus star by star declines,
Till all are pass'd away,
As morning high and brighter shines
To pure and perfect day;
Nor sink those stars in empty night,
But hide themselves in heaven's own light.

Text Information

• First Line: Friend after friend departs
• Title: Departing friends
• Publication Date: 1845

Tune Information

• Name: DEPARTING FRIENDS
• Composer: S. W.
• Meter: P. M.
• Key: F Major or modal