While others crowd the house of mirth

1 While others crowd the house of mirth,
and haunt the gaudy show,
let such as would with Wisdom dwell,
frequent the house of woe.
2 Better to weep with those who weep,
and share th’ afflicted’s smart,
than mix with fools in giddy joys
that cheat and wound the heart.

3 When virtuous sorrow clouds the face,
and tears bedim the eye,
the soul is led to solemn thought,
and wafted to the Sky.
4 The wise in heart revisit oft
grief’s dark sequester'd cell;
the thoughtless still with levity
and mirth delight to dwell.

5 The noisy laughter of the fool
is like the crackling sound
of blazing thorns, which quickly fall
in ashes to The ground.


Source: The Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook #R14