Scripture Verse

Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping. Mark 5:39

Introduction

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Mary S. B. D. Shindler (1810–1883)

Words: Ma­ry S. B. D. Shind­ler, in The South­ern Har­mo­ny, by Will­iam Walk­er, 1835, page 305, alt.

Music: Long, Long Ago Tho­mas H. Bay­ly (1797–1839) (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Thomas Bayly (1797–1839)
National Portrait Gallery

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Lyrics

Shed not a tear o’er your friend’s ear­ly bier,
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Smile when the slow toll­ing bell you shall hear—
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Weep not for me when you stand round my grave,
Think who has died His be­lov­èd to save,
Think of the crown all the ran­somed shall have,
When I am gone—when I am gone.

Shed not a tear when you stand round my grave—
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Sing a sweet song unto Him who doth save,
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Sing to the Lamb who on earth once was slain,
Sing to the Lamb who in Hea­ven doth reign,
Sing till the world shall be filled with His name,
When I am gone—when I am gone.

Plant ye a tree which may wave over me—
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Sing ye a song when my grave you shall see:
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Come at the close of a bright sum­mer’s day,
Come when the sun sheds his last lin­ger­ing ray,
Come, and rejoice that I thus passed away,
When I am gone—when I am gone.

Plant ye a rose that may bloom o’er my bed—
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Breathe not a sigh for the blest ear­ly dead—
When I am gone—when I am gone—
Praise ye the Lord that I’m freed from all care;
Serve ye the Lord that my bliss you may share;
Look up on high and be­lieve I am there;
When I am gone—when I am gone.