Life is Fleeting Lyrics

Life is fleeting, pleasure vain, toil and wisdom bring no gain

Under the sun all pursuits fade, in God's hand true joy is made

I said to myself, I'll seek out pleasure, to find what's good, what holds true measure

But laughter was madness, what did it bring? Cheering with wine, embracing folly's sting

Built houses, planted vineyards wide, gardens and parks with trees to buy

Made reservoirs to water the land, bought slaves and herds, wealth at hand

Life is fleeting, pleasure vain, toil and wisdom bring no gain

Under the sun all pursuits fade, in God's hand true joy is made

Alas, silver, gold and treasures of kings, singers and harem, all of man's things became the greatest

Wisdom stayed, denied myself nothing, every pleasure displayed

Heart took delight in labor's reward, but all was meaningless, a chasing ignored

Surveyed my works, toiled with pain, under the sun nothing to gain

Life is fleeting, pleasure vain, toil and wisdom bring no gain

Under the sun all pursuits fade, in God's hand true joy is made

Turn to wisdom, madness and folly's dance, all wisdom is better, light's bright chance

Wise have eyes, fools walk in dark, yet both meet the same fate, life's stark mark

Wise, oh fool, done remembered long, both forgotten, life's fleeting song

Hated life, what grievous to see, all was meaningless, chasing after the wind's spree

Toiled for things, under the sun, left to others, when life's done

Who knows if wise or foolish they'll be, this too is meaningless, plain to see

Labor brings grief, pain by day, restless minds, night's dismay

Better to eat, drink, find joy in toil, from God's hand blessings uncoil

Life is fleeting, pleasure vain, toil and wisdom bring no gain

Under the sun all pursuits fade, in God's hand true joy is made

God gives wisdom, knowledge and cheer, to those who please him, his path is clear

Sinners gather wealth, just to bestow, to the ones who please him, as rivers flow

Life is fleeting, pleasure vain, toil and wisdom bring no gain

Under the sun all pursuits fade, in God's hand true joy is made