This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Funeral Hymn
Staff Notation • Sacred
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Barry Johnston
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Funeral Hymn by Oliver Holden — Lyrics
Why do we mourn departing friends,
Or shake at death's alarms?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to his arms.
Are we not tending upward too
As fast as time can move?
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About Funeral Hymn
Oliver Holden's Funeral Hymn is a sacred work for SATB choir. Its English text reflects on the nature of death, questioning why believers should mourn or fear the end of life. Instead, the lyrics encourage contemplation of the journey towards heaven, drawing comfort from the belief that Christ's own death and burial offer a spiritual 'perfume' to the tomb. The hymn offers a gentle, reassuring perspective on mortality, suitable for memorial services or contemplative settings. Its straightforward message and accessible SATB voicing make it a poignant choice for choirs seeking to explore themes of faith and the afterlife.
