Ring the Bell Softly

by W. Dexter Smith Jr.

Someone has gone from this strange world of ours,
No more to gather its thorns with its flow'rs, ...
No more to linger where sunbeams must fade
Where, on all beauty, death's fingers are laid;
Weary with mingling life's bitter and sweet,
Weary with parting and never to meet,
Someone has gone to the bright, golden shore.
Ring the bell softly, there's crape on the door.

Someone is resting from sorrow and sin,
Happy where earth's conflicts enter not in, ...
Joyous as birds when the morning is bright,
When the sweet sunbeams have brought us their light,
Weary with sowing and never to reap,
Weary with labour and welcoming sleep,
Someone's departed to Heaven's glad shore.
Ring the bell softly, there's crape on the door.

Angels were.anxiously longing to meet,
One who walks with them in Heaven's bright street, ...
Loved ones have whisper'd that someone is blest,
Free from earth's trials, and taking sweet rest,
Yes! there is one more in angelic bliss,
One less to cherish, and one less to kiss,
One more departed to Heaven's bright shore.
Ring the bell softly, there's crape on the door.