This hymn was recorded during a funeral at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine. It perfectly encapsulates the grief and love and faith and pain and yes, even hope that I’ve been living with since March 15. It’s rough and raw and deep — and it ends on Alleluia.

Today should have been Dad’s 72nd birthday.

With the Saints give rest O Christ
to the soul of Thy servant
where sickness and sorrow are no more,
neither sighing but life everlasting.
Thou only art immortal
who hast created and fashioned man.
For out of the earth were we mortals made
and unto the same earth shall we return again
as Thou commanded when Thou madest me, saying unto me
for thou art dust and unto dust shalt thou return.
Whither we mortals all shall go
making our funeral dirge the song:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!