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 bless'd, And soften'd every bed; Where should the dying members rest, But with the dying head?
5 Thence he arose, ascending high, And shew'd 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.