We Shall Meet But We Shall Miss Him – Hymn Lyric
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We Shall Meet But We Shall Miss Him – Hymn Lyric
We shall meet, but we shall miss him,
There will be one vacant chair;
We shall linger to caress him,
When we breathe our ev’ning pray‘r.
When a year ago we gathered,
Joy was in his mild blue eye,
But a golden cord is severed.
And our hopes in ruin lie.
Chorus:
We shall meet, but we shall miss him,
There will be one vacant chair;
We shall linger to caress him,
When we breathe our ev’ning pray’r.
At our fireside sad and lonely,
Often will the bosom swell,
At remembrance of the story
How our noble Willie fell;
How he strove to bear our banner
Thro’ the thickest of the fight,
And uphold our country’s honor
In the strength of manhood’s might.
[Chorus]
True, they tell us wreaths of glory
Evermore will deck his brow,
But this soothes the anguish only
Sweeping o’er our heart strings now.
Sleep today, O early fallen,
In thy green and narrow bed;
Dirges from the pine and cypress
Mingle with the tears we shed.
[Chorus]
Meaning of We Shall Meet But We Shall Miss Him
In this heartfelt hymn, titled “We Shall Meet But We Shall Miss Him,” we are reminded of the bittersweet pain of losing a loved one. Although the title itself may seem somber, the underlying message of hope and remembrance shines through.
The opening verse sets the tone for the entire hymn, as it expresses the anticipation of reuniting with the departed individual while acknowledging the void they have left behind. The image of a vacant chair serves as a powerful symbol of their absence, a physical reminder of their presence that is now painfully absent.
As we gather together and say our evening prayers, we are filled with a mixture of emotions. We long to caress the one we have lost, to hold them once again in our arms. Their absence is particularly poignant when we reminisce about a year ago when joy filled their eyes. The sudden severing of the golden cord that connected them to us has shattered our hopes, leaving us in ruins.
The chorus amplifies our emotions, echoing our determination to remember and honor the one we have lost. It encourages us to keep their memory alive by lingering over the empty chair, by holding onto the love we had for them. Despite their physical absence, their spirit remains with us as we offer our evening prayers.
In our own homes, we may find ourselves overcome by sadness and loneliness. The memories of our loved one fill our hearts and cause them to swell with emotion. The hymn evokes the image of gathering around the fireside, where we once found comfort and companionship. Now, that sense of solace is tinged with sorrow as we recall the story of our noble Willie’s fall.
Willie, in his bravery and determination, carried our banner through the thickest fights, upholding the honor of our country. His actions exemplified the strength and valor of manhood. While he may no longer be with us, his noble deeds and sacrifice will forever be remembered.
Although others may talk about the glory and accolades that will adorn our fallen hero’s memory, we know that these honors can only soothe our anguish to an extent. The pain of our loss lingers, sweeping over our heartstrings like a mournful tune. The hymn points to the power of remembrance and encourages us to find solace in the fact that we can still keep his memory alive in our hearts.
As we lay Willie to rest in his green and narrow bed, we are accompanied by dirges from the pine and cypress trees. These mournful sounds mirror the tears we shed for our beloved Willie. The hymn suggests that even nature mourns his passing, highlighting the impact of his presence on those around him.
In conclusion, “We Shall Meet But We Shall Miss Him” is a poignant hymn that captures the complexity of grief and remembrance. While it acknowledges the pain and void left by the loss of a loved one, it also brings a message of hope and the power of memory. It encourages us to honor their memory and find solace in the knowledge that even in their physical absence, they are forever with us in spirit. This hymn subtly reminds us of the importance of cherishing our loved ones while they are still with us, as one day, we too may find ourselves facing a vacant chair.
I hope this hymn inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
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