Burial Anthem

Flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone—
For thou and we in Christ are one—
Thy soul unto its rest hath flown
And thou hast left us all alone
Our weary race to run
In doubt and want and sin and pain,
Whilst thou wilt never sin again.
For us remaineth heaviness;
Thou never more shalt feel distress,—
For thou hast found repose
Beside the bright eternal river,
That clear and pure flows on for ever
And sings as on it flows.
And it is better far for thee
To reach at once thy rest
Than share with us earth’s misery
Or tainted joy at best.
Brother, we will not mourn for thee,—
Although our hearts be weary
Of struggling with our enemy
When all around is dreary:
But we will pray that still we may
Press onward in the narrow way,
With a calm thankful resignation,
And joy in this our desolation;
And we will hope at length to be
With our Great Head—and, friend, with thee—
Beside that river blest.