China (Timothy Swan)
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- Editor: Tim Henderson (added 2006-08-21). Score information: A4, 1 page, 207 kbytes Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: China ("Why do we mourn....")
Composer: Timothy Swan
Lyricist: Isaac Watts
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn
Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: ?1801
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
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.
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.
Why should we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb?
There the dear flesh of Jesus lay,
And left a long perfume.
The graves of all his saints he blessed,
And softened every bed;
Where should the dying members rest,
But with the dying Head?
Thence he arose, ascending high,
And showed our feet the way;
Up to the Lord our flesh shall fly,
At the great rising day.
Then let the last loud trumpet sound,
And bid our kindred rise;
Awake, ye nations under ground;
Ye saints, ascend the skies.