The Psalm Of Life Lyrics

Tell me not in mournful numbers

"Life is but an empty dream"

For the soul is dead that slumbers

Things are not what they seem



Life is real, life is earnest

And the grave is not its goal

"Dust thou art, to dust returnest"

Wasn't spoken of the soul



Not enjoyment and not sorrow

Is our destined end or way

But to act, that each tomorrow

Find us further than today



In the world's broad field of battle

In the bivouac of life

Be not like dumb, driven cattle

Be a hero in the strife



Art is long and time is fleeting

And our hearts, though stout and brave

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave



Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of--



Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart--



Let us, then, be up and doing

With a heart for any fate

Still achieving, still pursuing

Learn to labor and to wait