Could I but leave men
Wiser by my song
And somewhat happier
In their little day

Wean them from things that lure
But to betray
Make the harsh gentle
And the feeble strong

Shunning the paths where pride and folly throng
Then would I carol all the lifelong day
And as the golden sunset waned to grey
With vesper voice my twilight hour prolong

Could I but leave men
Wiser by my song
And somewhat happier
In their little day

Wean them from things that lure
But to betray
Make the harsh gentle
And the feeble strong

But now they hear me heedlessly
Or pass with hurrying steps
To pomp's ambitious strife
But with chagrin
And disappointment rife

And shadows fleeting
As one's breath on glass
Still with foiled feet
And baffled hopes, alas
Lost in the long vain labyrinth of life
Or pass with hurried steps
To pomp's ambitious strife
But with chagrin and disappointment rife
And shadows fleeting
As one's breath on glass
Still with foiled feet
And baffled hopes, Alas
Lost in the long vain labyrinth of life
Still with foiled feet and baffled hopes
Alas, lost in the long vain labyrinth of life
Alas, lost in the long vain labyrinth of life

But with chagrin and disappointment rife
And shadows fleeting as one's breath on glass
Still with foiled feet and baffled hopes
Alas, lost in the long vain labyrinth of life

And shadows fleeting as one's breath on glass
Still with foiled feet and baffled hopes
Alas, lost in the long vain labyrinth of life

But now they hear me heedlessly
Or pass with hurrying steps
To pomp's ambitious strife
But with chagrin and disappointment rife
And shadows fleeting as one's breath on glass

And shadows fleeting as one's breath on glass
Still with foiled feet and baffled hopes, Alas
Lost in the long vain labyrinth of life
Alas
Lost in the long vain labyrinth of life
Alas, lost in the long vain labyrinth of life
Alas, lost in the long vain labyrinth of life