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Indexes for The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition

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158 Funeral Thought

Words: Reginald Heber, 1827

Music: William Caldwell, 1837

Meter: Particular Meter: 13,11,12,11

Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee,
Though sorrows and darkness encompass the tomb;
The Savior has passed through its portals before thee,
And the lamp of His love is thy guide through the gloom.

Thou art gone to the grave, we no longer behold thee,
Nor tread the rough paths of the world by thy side;
But wide arms of mercy are spread to enfold thee,
And all sinners may hope, since the Savior hath died.

Thou art gone to the grave, and thy cradle’s forsaken,
With us thy fond spirit did not tarry long,
But sunshine of heaven beamed bright on thy waking,
And the sound thou didst hear was the seraphim’s song.

Thou art gone to the grave, but ’twere wrong to deplore thee,
When God was thy ransom, thy guardian and guide;
He gave thee, and took thee, and soon will restore thee,
Where death hath no sting, since the Savior hath died.

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