8,8,8,8

"Then shall the dust return to the Earth as it was; and the Spirit shall return to God Who gave it." -- Eccles.12:7.

"Lebwohl! die Erde wartet dein."

[77]F. Sachse.

transl., Jane Borthwick, 1858

Beloved and honored, fare thee well!

Go in thy last long home to dwell;

Softly our loving hands prepare

Thy narrow bed -- sleep softly there!

Love looks below, with weeping eyes,

Where her long-cherished treasure lies

Our sweet companionship is o'er,

Our pilgrim friend returns no more!

Earth takes her own -- this mortal frame;

Eternity her part shall claim;

And so we say, in humble trust,

The soul to God -- the dust to dust.

Then, looking up tbroigh sorrow's night,

We trace the spirit's homeward flight;

The Prince of Life has marked that road,

Through the dark valley, home to God.

Where once the Master lowly lay,

Let the tired servant rest to-day,

And in the Father's house above

Forever share his Master's love.

Thanks for thy joy, all danger past!

Thanks for our own good hope at last!

Weeping endureth for a night,

Joy cometh with the morning light.

Lord, will that morning soon appear?

May our own summons now be near?

Shall sorrow soon be past and gone?

Thy will be done! Thy will be done!

Only prepare us, all Thy will

Gladly to suffer, or fulfill;

Then call us to Thy heavenly rest,

With thee, and with our brother blest.