The Passing, A Tragic Ballad

One Friday morning, crisp and cold When the world was still and white The end had come, just as foretold To three daughters and a wife. Their father and husband lay peacefully In a coffin, pale and still As they came forward silently, Hearts breaking them until It dawned on them that up above In peace and joy and light The one they missed looked down in love And praised with sheer delight The Lamb who died and reigned on high Who'd called him to his home He also saw his family, breaking down to cry And spoke, "Don't you worry, I'm home at last and filled with joy unknown!" Although twas hard and numbing And the pain persisted so The thought of the Second Coming Caused the family's hearts to glow Filled with reassurance And glad for friends who cared The once unbearable burdens Away began to tear. The empty seat at home Was seen e'er everyday But knowing where he'd gone They joyfully could say. The life of one so godly, committed, and revered Though missed, had gotten, oddly More treasured and more dear. Although he's not forgotten And time can't be replayed The One who was begotten Urges us to pray. The Sargent's sudden passing Brought tears and misery But tears have turned to laughing And tuned our hearts, O Lord, to thee.