We Would Not Weep

1Dear as thou wert, and just-ly dear, We would not weep for thee;
One thought shall check the start-ing tear, It is that thou art free.
And thus we mourn-ing mor-tals here, The lim-it of our woe;
Why should we give one need-less tear, Or heave one use-less sigh?

2We would not call thee from the verge Of that ce-les-tial shore;
We would not drag thee back to urge The toil-some jour-ney o'er.
And thus we mourn-ing mor-tals here, The lim-it of our woe;
Why should we give one need-less tear, Or heave one use-less sigh?

3Rest, spir-it, rest! 'twas God who gave, And God who took a-way;
And when this fleet-ing life is o'er, We hope to meet thee there.
And thus we mourn-ing mor-tals here, The lim-it of our woe;
Why should we give one need-less tear, Or heave one use-less sigh?