Earth to Earth, and Dust to Dust

Earth to earth

and dust to dust

Here the ev­il and the just

Here the youth­ful and the old

Here the fear­ful and the bold

Here the ma­tron and the maid

In one si­lent bed are laid;

Here the vas­sal and the king

Side by side lie wi­the­ring;

Here the sword and scep­ter rust—

Earth to earth and dust to dust!

Age on age shall roll along

O’er this pale and migh­ty throng;

Those that wept them

those that weep

All shall with these sleep­ers sleep;

Brothers

sis­ters of the worm

Summer’s storm

or win­ter’s storm

Song of peace

or bat­tle’s roar

Ne’er shall break their slum­bers more;

Death shall keep his so­lemn trust—

Earth to earth

and dust to dust.

But a day is com­ing fast

Earth

thy migh­ti­est and thy last;

It shall come and fear and won­der

Heralded by trump and thun­der;

It shall come in strife and toil;

It shall come in blood and spoil;

It shall come in em­pire’s groans

Burning tem­ples

tram­pled thrones.

Then

Am­bi­tion

rue thy lust!

Earth to earth and dust to dust!

Then shall come the judg­ment sign

In the east the King shall shine;

Flashing from Heav’n’s gold­en gate

Thousand thou­sands round His state;

Spirits with the crown and plume

Tremble then

thou sull­en tomb!

Heav’n shall op­en on our sight

Earth be turned to liv­ing light

Kingdoms of the ran­somed just—

Earth to earth

and dust to dust.

Then shall

gor­geous as a gem

Shine thy mount

Je­ru­sa­lem;

Then shall in the de­sert rise

Fruits of more than para­dise;

Earth by an­gel feet be trod

One great gar­den of her God;

Till are dried the mar­tyr’s tears

Through a glo­ri­ous thou­sand years.

Now in hope of Him we trust—

Earth to earth

and dust to dust!