Say, mother, why do people weep

1 Say, mother, why do people weep,
With grief and sorrow prest?
Do they not know that God will keep,
And rule all for the best?

Chorus:
Why are we not all happy then,
And feel that we are blest?
We know we have a Father God,
Who does all for the best.

2 While thou, my mother, art so kind,
Obeying God's behest,
And he so kind to leave me thee,
I'll trust all's for the best. [Chorus]

3 Yet e'en thou should'st leave the world,
Like father, and the rest,
The Lord will take me up and show
That all is for the best. [Chorus]

4 Tho' troubles should assail us hard,
And all our patience test:
Yet afterwards we see they were
Directed for the best. [Chorus]

5 Yes, over all our Father sees,
He's present, east and west;
He guides our steps, protects our ways,
And always for the best. [Chorus]

6 Then, mother, weep no more, but pray
For faith to fill your breast;
To think, as I have heard you say,
God ruleth for the best. [Chorus]

Source: Linden Harp: a rare collection of popular melodies adapted to sacred and moral songs, original and selected. Illustrated. Also a manual of... #127