The Old Churchyard

Pastor Anthony Dodger shared this, and I wanted to share it with all of you.

There are so many beautiful and theologically rich hymns for All Saints' Day. But this song has become a new favorite for me in the last few months. It's an English folk song, performed by the collaborative team Offa Rex, including The Decemberists and Olivia Chaney. It's words are simple but powerful, and paired with a beautiful Celtic tune. Pay special attention to the last two verses.

Come, come with me out to the old churchyard
I so well know those paths 'neath the soft green sward
Friends slumber in there that we want to regard;
We will trace out their names in the old churchyard

Mourn not for them, their trials are o'er
And why weep for those who will weep no more?
For sweet is their sleep, though cold and hard
Their pillows may be in the old churchyard

I know that it's vain when our friends depart
To breathe kind words to a broken heart;
And I know that the joy of life is marred
When we follow lost friends to the old churchyard

But were I at rest 'neath yonder tree
Oh, why would you weep, my friends, for me?
I'm so weary, so wayworn, why would you retard
The peace I seek in the old churchyard?

Why weep for me, for I'm anxious to go
To that haven of rest where no tears ever flow;
And I fear not to enter that dark lonely tomb
Where our Savior has lain and conquered the gloom
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I rest in the hope that one bright day
Sunshine will burst to these prisons of clay
And old Gabriel's trumpet and voice of the Lord
Will wake up the dead in the old churchyard