Within the churchyard

 

within the churchyard side by side sit many long low graves

and some have stones set over them, on some the green grass waves

 

full many a little Christian child, woman and man lies there

and we pass near them every time when we go in to prayer

 

they cannot hear our footsteps, they do not see us pass;

they cannot feel the warm sun that shines upon the grass

 

they do not hear the great bells sing their anthem overhead,

they cannot rise and come to church with us, for they are dead

 

but we believe a day shall come when all the dead will rise

when they who sleep down in the grave will open again their eyes

 

for Christ our Lord was buried once - he died and rose again,

he conquered death, he left the grave and so will Christian men

 

so when the friends we love the best lie in their churchyard bed

we must not cry too bitterly over the happy dead

 

because for our dear saviour's sake our sins are all forgiven

and Christians only fall asleep to wake again in heaven

 

within the churchyard side by side sit many long low graves,

and some have stones set over them, on some the green grass waves

 

full many a little Christian child, woman and man lies there

and we pass near them every time when we go in to prayer

 

remember friends we love the best still in their churchyard bed,

and do not cry too bitterly over the happy dead

 

because for our dear saviour's sake our sins are all forgiven

and Christians only fall asleep to wake again in heaven