The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #49407   Message #745999
Posted By: Burke
10-Jul-02 - 03:47 PM
Thread Name: Will YOU die Singing?
Subject: Lyr Add: SING TO ME OF HEAV'N
Ebbie beat me, but here's the whole thing.

Oh, sing to me of heav'n,
When I am called to die,
Sing songs of holy ecstasy,
To waft my soul on high.

When cold and sluggish drops
Roll off my marble brow,
Burst forth in strains of joyfulness,
Let heav'n begin below.

When the last moment comes,
Oh, watch my dying face,
And catch the bright, seraphic gleam,
Which on each feature plays.

Then to my ravished ear
Let one sweet song begin,
Let music charm me last on earth,
And greet me first in heav'n.

Then close my sightless eyes,
And lay me down to rest,
And clasp my cold and icy hands
Across my peaceful breast.

Then 'round my senseless clay
Assemble those I love,
And sing of heav'n, delightful heav'n,
My glorious home above.

Lyrics: Mary Stanley Bruce Dana, 1840 Sacred Harp p. 312t by John Massengale

Another version by Ginny Hawker & Kay Justice a includes chorus but I'm not sure of the words.