Weep, Children of Israel

WEEP, weep for him, the man of God,—

In yonder vale he sunk to rest;

But none of earth can point the sod

That flowers above his sacred breast.

Weep, children of Israel, weep!

His doctrine fell like heaven’s rain,

His words refreshed like heaven’s dew—

Oh, ne’er shall Israel see again

A chief, to God and her so true.

Weep, children of Israel, weep!

Remember ye his parting gaze,

His farewell song by Jordan’s tide,

When, full of glory and of days,

He saw the promised land—and died.

Weep, children of Israel, weep!

Yet died he not as men who sink,

Before our eyes to soulless clay;

But, changed to spirit, like a wink

Of summer lightning pass’d away.

Weep, children of Israel, weep!