Scripture Verse

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13

Introduction

portrait
Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr.
1825–1906

Words: Ed­ward H. Bick­er­steth, Jr., 1873.

Music: Ib­stone Ma­ria Tid­de­man, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Tiddeman (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

Hush! blessèd are the dead
In Jesus’ arms who rest,
And lean their weary head
Forever on His breast.

O beatific sight!
No darkling veil between,
They see the Light of Light,
Whom here they loved unseen.

For them the wild is past,
With all its toil and care;
Its withering midnight blast,
Its fiery noonday glare.

Them the Good Shepherd leads,
Where storms are never rife,
In tranquil dewy meads,
Beside the Fount of Life.

Ours only are the tears,
Who weep around their tomb,
The light of bygone years
And shadowing years to come.

Their voice, their touch, their smile,
Those love-springs flowing o’er;
Earth for its little while
Shall never know them more.

O tender hearts and true,
Our long last vigil kept,
We weep and mourn for you;
Nor blame us: Jesus wept.

But soon at break of day
His calm almighty voice,
Stronger than death, shall say,
Awake! Arise! Rejoice!