VANITAS VANITATUM, OMNIA VANITAS Lyrics

In all we do and hear and see

Is restless Toil and Vanity

While yet the rolling earth abides

Men come and go like ocean tides

And ere one generation dies

Another in its place shall rise

That sinking soon into the grave

Others succeed like wave on wave

And as they rise, they pass away

The sun arises every day

And, hastening onward to the West

He nightly sinks but not to rest

Returning to the eastern skies

Again to light us he must rise

And still the restless wind comes forth

Now blowing keenly from the North

Now from the South the East the West

For ever changing ne'er at rest

The fountains, gushing from the hills

Supply the ever-running rills

The thirsty rivers drink their store

And bear it rolling to the shore

But still the ocean craves for more

'Tis endless labor everywhere

Sound cannot satisfy the ear

Light cannot fill the craving eye

Nor riches half our wants supply

Pleasure but doubles future pain

And joy brings sorrow in her train

Laughter is mad, and reckless mirth

What does she in this weary earth

Should Wealth or Fame, our Life employ

Death comes our labor to destroy

To snatch the untasted cup away

For which we toiled so many a day

What, then, remains for wretched man

To use life's comforts while he can

Enjoy the blessings Heav'n bestows

Assist his friends forgive his foes

Trust God and keep His statutes still

Upright and firm through good and ill

Thankful for all that God has giv'n

Fixing his firmest hopes on Heav'n

Knowing that earthly joys decay

But hoping through the darkest day

Hoping through the darkest day