The New Sabbath School Hosanna ‎#139a

139a. How blest the righteous when he dies

1 How blest the righteous when he dies,
When sinks a weary soul to rest!
How mildly beam the closing eyes!
How gently heaves th' expiring breast!

2 So fades a summer cloud away,
So sinks the gale when storms are o'er,
So gently shuts the eye of day,
So dies a wave along the shore.

3 A holy quiet reigns around,
A calm which life nor death destroys;
Nothing disturbs that peace profound
Which his unfetter'd soul enjoys.

4 Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears,
Where lights and shades alternate dwell!
How bright the unchanging morn appears!
Farewell, inconstant world! farewell!

5 Life’s labor done, as sinks the clay,
Light from its load the spirit flies;
While heaven and earth combine to say,
"How blest the righteous when he dies!"

Text Information

• First Line: How blest the righteous when he dies
• Publication Date: 1870
• Notes: Tune for 299, 300, and 397 in "American Sunday School Hymn Book" (ASS1860a)

Tune Information

• Name: ZEPHYR
• Composer: Wm. B. Bradbury
• Meter: L. M.
• Key: C Major
• Copyright: By permission.