A library of resources for funerals

Almighty Father of the sky (THE AIRMEN’S HYMN)

Almighty Father of the sky
Be with our airmen when they fly,
And keep them in thy loving care
Amid the perils of the air,
O let our cry come unto thee
For those who fly o’er land and sea.

Strong Son of Man, save those who fly
Swift-winged across th'uncharted sky,
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair
O’er land and ocean safely bear
All those in peril in the air.

O holy spirit, God’s own power
Give peace in sudden dangers hour,
O wind of heaven by thy might
Save all who dare the eagles flight,
And keep them in thy watchful care
From every peril in the air.

O trinity of love and might,
Be with our airmen day and night,
In peace or war midst friend or foe,
Be with them whereso’er they go.
Thus shall our prayers ascend to thee
With those who fly o’er land and sea.

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came

Birjina gastettobat zegoen Basque Carol, Charles Bordes (Collector) (1863-1909), Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
'All hail', said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.'
Gloria!

For know, a blessèd mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold;
most highly favoured lady.'
Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
'To me be as it pleaseth God', she said,
'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name':
most highly favoured lady.
Gloria!

Of her, Immanuel, the Christ was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say,
'Most highly favoured lady.'
Gloria!

The Church Of God A Kingdom Is

Lionel Boulton Campbell Lockhart Muirhead (1845-1925)

The Church of God a kingdom is,
where Christ in power doth reign;
where spirits yearn till, seen in bliss,
their Lord shall come again.

Glad companies of saints possess
this Church below, above;
and God's perpetual calm doth bless
their paradise of love.

An altar stands within the shrine
whereon, once sacrificed,
is set immaculate, divine,
the Lamb of God, the Christ.

There rich and poor, from countless lands,
praise Christ on mystic rood;
there nations reach forth holy hands
to take God's holy food.

There pure life-giving streams o'erflow
the sower's garden-ground;
and faith and hope fair blossoms show,
and fruits of love abound.

O King, O Christ, this endless grace
to us and all men bring,
to see the vision of thy face
in joy, O Christ, our King.

The Church's One Foundation

Samuel John Stone (1839-1900)

The Church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the word:
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy Bride;
with his own blood he bought her
and for her life he died.

Elect from every nation,
yet one o'er all the earth,
her charter of salvation
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses
with every grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder
men see her sore opprest,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distrest,
yet saints their watch are keeping,
their cry goes up, 'How long?'
and soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.

Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great Church victorious
shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
with God the three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord give us grace that we,
like them the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended

John Ellerton (1826 – 1893)

The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
the darkness falls at thy behest;
to thee our morning hymns ascended,
thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank thee that thy church unsleeping,
while earth rolls onward into light,
through all the world her watch is keeping,
and rests not now by day or night.

As o’er each continent and island
the dawn leads on another day,
the voice of prayer is never silent,
nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking
our brethren ’neath the western sky,
and hour by hour fresh lips are making
thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never,
like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever,
till all thy creatures own thy sway.

The First Nowell The Angel Did Say

The first Nowell the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

They lookèd up and saw a star,
Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night:
Chorus

And by the light of that same star,
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went:
Chorus

This star drew nigh to the north-west,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Chorus

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie:
One entered in then for to see,
And found the babe in poverty:
Chorus

Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense:
Chorus

7Between an ox-stall and an ass
This child truly there born he was;
For want of clothing they did him lay
All in the manger, among the hay:
Chorus

8Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind hath bought:
Chorus

The God Of Abraham Praise

The God of Abraham praise
who reigns enthroned above,
Ancient of everlasting Days,
and God of love:
Jehovah, great I AM,
by earth and heaven confest;
I bow and bless the sacred name
for ever blest.

Though nature's strength decay,
and earth and hell withstand,
to Canaan's bounds I urge my way
at his command:
the watery deep I pass,
with Jesus in my view;
and through the howling wilderness
my way pursue.

The goodly land I see,
with peace and plenty blest:
a land of sacred liberty
and endless rest;
there milk and honey flow,
and oil and wine abound,
and trees of life for ever grow,
with mercy crowned.

There dwells the Lord our King,
the Lord our Righteousness,
triumphant o'er the world of sin,
the Prince of Peace:
on Sion's sacred height
his kingdom he maintains,
and glorious with his saints in light
for ever reigns.

Before the great Three-One
they all exulting stand,
and tell the wonders he hath done
through all their land:
the listening spheres attend,
and swell the growing fame,
and sing in songs which never end
the wondrous name.

The God who reigns on high
the great archangels sing,
and 'Holy, Holy, Holy.' cry,
'almighty King,
who was, and is the same,
and evermore shall be:
Jehovah, Father, great I AM,
we worship thee.'

7Before the Saviour's face
the ransomed nations bow,
o'erwhelmed at his almighty grace
for ever new;
he shows his prints of love-
they kindle to a flame,
and sound through all the worlds above
the slaughtered Lamb.

8The whole triumphant host
give thanks to God on high;
'hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost',
they ever cry:
hail, Abraham's God, and mine,
(I join the heavenly lays)
all might and majesty are thine,
and endless praise.

The God Of Love My Shepherd Is

George Herbert (1593-1633)

The God of love my Shepherd is,
And he that me doth feed;
While he is mine, and I am his,
What can I want or need?

He leads me to the tender grass,
Where I both feed and rest;
Then to the streams that gently pass:
In both I have the best.

Or if I stray, he doth convert
And bring my mind in frame:
And all this not for my desert,
But for his holy name.

Yea, in death's shady black abode
Well may I walk, not fear;
For thou art with me, and thy rod
To guide, thy staff to bear.

Surely thy sweet and wondrous love
Shall measure all my days;
And, as it never shall remove,
So neither shall my praise.

The Holly And The Ivy

Emily Chisholm (1910-1991)

The holly and the ivy
Are dancing in a ring,
Round the berry-bright red candles,
And the white and shining King.

O, one is for the prophets
And for the light they bring.
They are candles in the darkness,
All alight for Christ the King.

And two for John the Baptist.
He calls on us to sing:
'O prepare the way for Jesus Christ.
He is coming, Christ the King.'

And three for Mother Mary.
'I cannot see the way,
But you promise me a baby.
I believe you. I obey.'

And four are for God's people,
In every age and day.
We are watching for his coming.
We believe and we obey.

And Christ is in the centre,
For this is his birthday,
With the shining lights of Christmas
Singing, 'He has come today.'

The King Of Love

Henry Williams Baker (1821 – 1877)

The King of love my Shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine for ever.

Where streams of living water flow
my ransomed soul he leadeth;
and where the verdant pastures grow
with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me;
And on his shoulder gently laid,
and home rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight,
Thy unction grace bestoweth:
And o what transport of delight,
From thy pure chalice floweth

And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never;
good shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever.

The Light Of The World Is Jesus

The whole world was lost
In the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday,
His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus.

Refrain

Come to the light, ‘tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!

No darkness have we
Who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light
When we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus.

Refrain

Ye dwellers in darkness
With sin blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash, at his bidding,
And light will arise.
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Refrain

No need of the sunlight
In Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light
In the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Refrain

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want (Townend)

Stuart Townend

The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want.
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in You alone.
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.

He guides my ways in righteousness,
And He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.
Refrain

And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.
Refrain

The Lord's My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want

Francis Rous(1579 – 1659) William Whittingham (1524 – 1579) Scottish Psalter (1650)

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
in pastures green; he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again,
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
e’en for his own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill;
for thou art with me, and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnishèd
in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me;
and in God’s house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suff’ring and shame;
and I loved that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.

Chorus

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see;
for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
to pardon and sanctify me.

Chorus

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory for ever I’ll share.

Chorus

The Sands Of Time Are Sinking

Anne Ross Cousin (1824-1906)

The sands of time are sinking,
the dawn of heaven breaks;
the summer morn I've sighed for,
the fair, sweet morn, awakes.
Dark, dark hath been the midnight;
but dayspring is at hand,
and glory, glory dwelleth
in Immanuel's land.

The King there, in his beauty,
without a veil is seen;
it were a well-spent journey,
though seven deaths lay between:
the Lamb, with his fair army,
doth on Mount Zion stand,
and glory, glory dwelleth
in Immanuel's land.

O Christ! He is the fountain,
the deep, sweet well of love:
the streams on earth I've tasted
more deep I'll drink above:
there to an ocean fullness
his mercy doth expand,
and glory, glory dwelleth
in Immanuel's land.

With mercy and with judgement
my web of time he wove,
and ay the dews of sorrow
were lustred by his love;
I'll bless the hand that guided,
I'll bless the heart that planned,
when throned where glory dwelleth
in Immanuel's land.

Oh, I am my Belovèd's,
and my Belov'd is mine!
he brings a poor vile sinner
into his 'House of wine;'
I stand upon his merit,
I know no other stand,
not e'en where glory dwelleth
in Immanuel's land.

The bride eyes not her garment,
but her dear bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory
but on my King of grace,
not at the crown he giveth
but on his piercèd hand:
the Lamb is all the glory
of Immanuel's land.

7I've wrestled on towards heaven,
'gainst storm and wind and time;
now, like a weary traveller
that leaneth on his guide,
amid the shades of evening,
while sinks life's lingering sand,
I hail the glory dawning
in Immanuel's land.

The Spirit Lives To Set Us Free

Damian Lundy (1940-1997)

The Spirit lives to set us free,
walk, walk in the light.
He binds us all in unity,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, walk in the light,
walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord

Jesus promised life to all,
walk, walk in the light.
The dead were wakened by his call,
walk, walk in the light.
Chorus

He died in pain on Calvary,
walk, walk in the light,
to save the lost like you and me,
walk, walk in the light.
Chorus

We know his death was not the end,
walk, walk in the light.
He gave his Spirit to be our friend,
walk, walk in the light.
Chorus

By Jesus' love our wounds are healed,
walk, walk in the light.
The Father's kindness is revealed,
walk, walk in the light.
Chorus

The Spirit lives in you and me,
walk, walk in the light.
His light will shine for all to see,
walk, walk in the light.
Chorus

The Strife Is O'er, The Battle Done

Francis Pott (1832 – 1909)

The strife is o’er, the battle done;
now is the Victor’s triumph won;
O let the song of praise be sung:
Alleluia.

Death’s mightiest powers have done their worst,
and Jesus hath his foes dispersed;
let shouts of praise and joy outburst:
Alleluia.

On the third morn he rose again
glorious in majesty to reign;
O let us swell the joyful strain:
Alleluia.

Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee
from death’s dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live, and sing to thee:
Alleluia.

The Trumpets Sound, The Angels Sing

The trumpets sound, the angels sing,
the feast is ready to begin;
the gates of heaven are open wide,
and Jesus welcomes you inside.
Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight,
come and revel in heaven's love and light;
take your place at the table of the King,
the feast is ready to begin,
the feast is ready to begin.

Tables are laden with good things,
O taste the peace and joy He brings;
He'll fill you up with love divine,
He'll turn your water into wine.
Chorus

The hungry heart He satisfies,
offers the poor His paradise;
now hear all heaven and earth applaud
the amazing goodness of the Lord.
Chorus

The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden

The voice that breathed o'er Eden,
That earliest wedding-day,
The primal marriage blessing,
It hath not passed away.

Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid
The holy three are with us,
The threefold grace is said,

For dower of blessèd children,
For love and faith's sweet sake,
For high mysterious union
Which nought on earth may break.

Be present, heavenly Father,
To give away this bride,
As Eve thou gav'st to Adam
Out of his own pierced side.

Be present, gracious Saviour,
To join their loving hands,
As thou didst bind two natures
In thine eternal bands.

Be present, Holy Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As thou for Christ the bridegroom
The heavenly spouse dost seal.

7O spread thy pure wings o'er them!
Let no ill power find place,
When onward through life's journey
The hallowed path they trace,

8To cast their crowns before thee,
In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ's own bride they rise.

There Is A Green Hill Far Away

Cecil Francis Alexander (1818 - 1895)

There is a green hill far away,
without a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
of heaven, and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved,
and we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.

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