#625 - Saul

Composer:
- George Frideric Handel
  (1685-1759), 1738
- from the oratorio Saul
Also known as:
- Dead March
- Dirge (as a hymn melody)
- Unveil Thy Bosom, Faithful Tomb
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Incipit: 3333332343244564654323435555567655543325543432
Condensed Incipit: 32343245646543234356765432543432
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Instrumental
Lyrics:
Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb,
Take this new treasure to thy trust,
And give these sacred relics room
To seek a slumber in the dust;
And give these sacred relics room
To seek a slumber in the dust.

Nor pain, nor grief, nor anxious fear
Invades thy bounds, no mortal woes,
Can reach the lovely sleeper here,
And angels watch her soft repose;
Can reach the lovely sleeper here,
And angels watch her soft repose.

So Jesus slept; God's dying Son
Passed through the grave, and blessed the bed:
Rest here, fair saint, till from His throne
The morning break and pierce the shade;
Rest here, fair saint, till from His throne
The morning break and pierce the shade.

Break from His throne, illustrious morn!
Attend, O earth! His sovereign Word:
Restore thy trust: a glorious form
She must ascend to meet her Lord;
Restore thy trust: a glorious form
She must ascend to meet her Lord!
- Isaac Watts
  (1674-1748), 1734

Although this dirge was written as an instrumental work, it also became associated with the lyrics written by Watts, and was used as a funeral ode.

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