The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#593

593. 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 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 scattered all the gloom.

4 The graves of all His saints He blest
And softened ev'ry 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, we, too, 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!

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Why do we mourn departing friends
• Title: Why Do We Mourn Departing Friends
• Author: Isaac Watts (1707, alt.)
• Meter: C.M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Mark 5:39
• Topic: The Last Things: Death and Burial

Tune Information

• Name: DOMINE, CLAMAVI
• Composer: Justin H. Knecht (1797)
• Meter: C.M.
• Key: f minor