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,

And left a long perfume.

4.

The graves of all his saints he blest,

And softened every bed:

Where should the dying members rest,

But with their dying Head?

5.

Thence he arose, ascended 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!