Church Book ‎#556

556. 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 should 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,
There hopes unfading bloom.

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

5 Thence He arose, ascending high,
And showed our feet the way;
Up to the Lord our souls 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
• Author: Watts (1709, a.)
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: Death and Eternity: Burial
• Notes: Alternate tune: #27 or #150

Tune Information

• Name: DURHAM
• Meter: C. M.
• Key: F Major
• Notes: Source from index: Ravenscroft's Psalter, 1621