1 Friend and companion, dear to each heart;
Tears naught avail us, now we must part.
Death's hand has plucked thee, pillowed thy head,
Lowly and lifeless, faded and dead.
2 Now bending o'er thee, sadly we weep
While o'er our gladness lone shadows creep.
Dark, chilling shadows, bringing a gloom,
Telling of dear ones gone to the tomb.
3 Guarding thy slumbers, cypress shall wave,
Mournful and silent, over thy grave.
Angels their vigils watchful shall keep,
Waiting thy blissful waking from sleep.
4 Ah, we must leave thee, silent in death;
Fond hopes have vanished flown with thy breath.
Joy turns to sadness, life seems but pain;
O, shall we ever meet thee again?
5 Yes, we shall meet thee on heaven's shore,
Where death and partings come nevermore:
There, will our Saviour dry every tear;
Sorrowful mourner, be of good cheer.
Source: The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book: for use in divine worship #969
Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evangelist Billy Sunday. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >
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