CANST TELL ME?
Canst thou tell me dear friend of the other side?
Of thy beautiful home over there.
Dost thou love us the same as when here on earth?
Canst thou help us our burdens to bear?
And is heaven the same thou once thought it was?
Hast thou met thy dear friends gone before?
Wouldst thou wish to come back to this earth again?
To again live thy life as of yore?
All its pains and its griefs to take up again,
Were earth’s joys compensation for woes?
Art thou glad that thou’st lived, and loved, and e’en died?
Canst thou now upon others bestow
The sweet peace that is thine, the love of thy soul?
Canst thou teach us to live, and to die?
Canst thou meet us, and guide us to heaven above,
Solve the problems that in us e’er lie?
I’ve lived my life, thou must live thine.
In thine own soul life’s problems lie.
I cannot teach thee how to live,
I cannot teach thee how to die.
Take up thy burdens, and thy cares.
With patience bear thy every grief.
Thy back is fitted for each cross,
Death is surcease, and brings relief.
Though I have passed from earth away,
I still do feel what thou must bear.
But knowing what thy crosses are,
I say, be brave, thy crosses bear.
Do what thou canst for others’ weal,
Do what thou canst to conquer sin.
Then leave the rest in hands of God.
With pitying love he looks within,
And sees the burdens thou must bear.
He knows how weak, and sore distressed
His earthly children ever are.
But in His love they’re more than blessed.
Have courage, patience, pity, love,
Have charity for all who sin.
Thou need’st not look abroad for faults,
To find them, friend, O look within.