Songs of Grace and Glory ‎#138

138. Sleeping in God’s Acre On the Hill

1 Are we bowed today in sorrow as we see a vacant chair?
See a place that no one else on earth can fill?
Do we miss them at the fireside, those who used to gather there?
They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill.

Refrain:
On the hillside, like a bird within its nest,
On the hillside, Oh, how sweetly now they rest;
Let us grieve not for the dear ones, for the friends we loved the best,
They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill.

2 Once they faced life’s stormy tempest, once they had their share of woe,
Now they know just what is meant by “Peace, be still;”
Far removed from strife of battle, safe from stormy winds that blow,
They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill. [Refrain]

3 Let us try to do our duty till the closing of the day;
Let us strive each hour to do God’s holy will;
For ‘twill be but little longer till our friends of us shall say,
“They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill.” [Refrain]

4 Soon the journey will be ended and the work for God be done;
Let us worthily his purpose now fulfill,
That our light may still be shining when the course of life is run,
And we’re sleeping in God’s acre on the hill. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Are we bowed today in sorrow as we see a vacant chair?
• Title: Sleeping in God’s Acre On the Hill
• Author: Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr.
• Author (st. 4): C. W. Naylor
• Refrain First Line: On the hillside, like a bird within its nest
• Publication Date: 1918
• Topic: Special Songs

Tune Information

• Name: [Are we bowed today in sorrow as we see a vacant chair?]
• Composer: J. H. Hall