A Selection of Psalms and Hymns ‎#CCXXX

CCXXX. Why do we mourn departed friends

1 Why do we mourn departed friends
Or shake at death’s alarm?
’Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to his arms.

2 Why should we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb?
There the dear flesh of Jesus lay,
And left a long perfume:

3 The graves of all the saints he bless'd,
And soft'ned ev'ry bed;
Where should the living members rest
But with the dying head.

4 Thence he arose, and burst the chain,
To shew our feet the way.
From shades where death and darkness reign
To realms of endless day.

5 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 departed friends
• Author: Dr. Watts
• Meter: Common Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Topic: Funeral Occasions

Tune Information

(No tune information)