Come, Ye Disconsolate (Memorial Performance)

My dear sweet wife, Kay, passed away at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston on Tuesday, May 15th at 4:00 am as a result of a brain herniation caused by her third stroke in about an eight year period. Fortunately she died peacefully with her loved ones nearby, including myself and our two children, Erik and Elizabeth (Liz).

At the memorial service in her honor, Saturday, May 19th at 11:00 am, I played "Elevazione" by Domenico Zipoli (http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/30338). There was also a husband and wife team that played a piano and violin piece "Nearer, My God, to Thee" as part of the service.

Liz found in one of Kay's scrapbooks a reference to Hymn No. 166, "Abide with Me!" (http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/30544) so this was used as the closing hymn.

I chose Hymn No. 115 from the English LDS Hymnal, "Come, Ye Disconsolate" as the opening hymn for the service because both Erik and Liz were at times inconsolable and this hymn brings understanding and peace.

Music: Samuel Webbe, 1740-1816
Text: Thomas Moore, 1779-1852
Verse 3: Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872

Introduction + 3 verses:

Verse 1:
Come, ye disconsolate,
where'er ye garnish;
Come to the mercy seat,
fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts;
here tell your anguish.
Earth has no sorrow
that heaven cannot heal.

Verse 2:
Joy of the desolate,
Light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent,
fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter,
tenderly saying,
"Earth has no sorrow
that heav'n cannot cure."

Verse 3:
Here see the Bread of Life;
see waters flowing
Forth from the throne of God,
pure from above.
Come to the feast of love;
come, ever knowing
Earth has no sorrow
but heav'n can remove.