Why do we mourn departing friends

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General information

This is an hymn by Isaac Watts, his Hymn 3 of Book 2, published 1707.

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Text and translations

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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 would 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 blessed,
And softened every bed;
Where should the dying members rest,
But with the dying Head?

5  Thence he arose, ascending high,
And showed our feet the way;
Up to the Lord our flesh 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.

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