The Hymnal and Order of Service ‎#604

604. We Shall Sleep, But Not Forever

1 We shall sleep, but not forever,
There will be a glorious dawn;
We shall meet to part--no, never,
On the resurrection morn!
From the deepest caves of ocean,
From the desert and the plain,
From the valley and the mountain,
Countless throngs shall rise again.

Refrain:
We shall sleep, but not forever,
There will be a glorious dawn;
We shall meet, to part--no, never,
On the resurrection morn!

2 When we see a precious blossom
That we tended with such care
Rudely taken from our bosom,
How our aching hearts despair!
Round its little grave we linger,
Till the setting sun is low,
Feeling all our hopes have perished
With the flower we cherished so. [Refrain]

3 We shall sleep, but not forever,
In the lone and silent grave:
Blessèd be the Lord that taketh,
Blessèd be the Lord that gave.
In the bright, eternal city,
Death can never, never come!
In His own good time He’ll call us
From our rest to home, sweet home. [Refrain]

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: We shall sleep, but not forever
• Title: We Shall Sleep, But Not Forever
• Author: Mary Ann Kidder (1878)
• Refrain First Line: We shall sleep, but not forever
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7. D. With Refrain.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1937
• Topic: Last Things: Death and Burial
• Copyright: Copyright property of the Biglow & Main Co.

Tune Information

• Name: WE SHALL SLEEP, BUT NOT FOREVER
• Composer: Silas Jones Vail, (1818-1883).
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7. D. With Refrain.
• Key: B♭ Major