Introduction I have always loved Anglican choral music, and find it especially moving in times of grief. The Burial Sentences by William Croft are one such treasure of this tradition, putting to music the opening words of every Anglican funeral since the 17th century: I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord. Croft's arrangement of these universal words, sung here at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, remind me that in the Christian faith there is yet beauty in death, a future hope for those returned to the dust.
Lyrics I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Shall never die, shall never die.
I know that my redeemer liveth And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, Yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold, And not another.
We brought nothing into this world, And it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away: Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be the name of the Lord.