The Death of William Lewis, Salt
Lake City, Sept. 27, 1875, aged 68 years.
Written
by request.
Sudden news, a word of sorrow,
Came of the death of Gwilym
Ddu;
Brought down to
his earthly bed,
Away from town, his last resting place.
His spirit fled
from its tabernacle,
Which was then enclosed
in the grave;
His spirit
journeyed to the heavens,
To dwell in the land of
peace.
His muse will not
be heard again,
He will no longer compose a sweet song,
Until he is heard
in paradise,
Entertaining the heavenly
host.
The fruit of his
muse is collected here,
To delight us while we live,
Until we all
gather,
In his company, with
God.
He was devoted to
his religion,
A steadfast man in the faith;
A diligent worker
for his family,.
And a good neighbor
always.
"Hewing stone,
promoting love,"
He was fond of these words of song,
While building
the Temple,
And while sitting by the
fire.
He was a
supporter of the Eisteddfod,
A rime, a verse, a poem, a song;
He sang stanza after stanza
To please great and small.
It is fitting
that we now sing
Praise to one who sang long:
A girl is the
muse for the true love
Which dwells in the land
of heaven.
Shh! I think I hear Gwilym;
Saying, "Your song is very sweet;
Women and
children, do not sorrow,
I have never been so happy."
Farewell, friend;
sing your best,
Charm the ears of the heavenly host;
We on the earth
will sing
Sweet verses of amen.
September 30,
1875. John S. Davis.
[Published in the Deseret Weekly News for 13 October 1875. Informational translation by Ron Dennis, 17 April 2009.]
