Sorrow — sorrow — full of sorrow;
Not a stone within the street
But — if it could accents borrow —
Would the self-same strain repeat!
Youth of struggle and endurance;
Weary manhood downward hurled;
Age, but with one last assurance
Centred in another world!

Sorrow — sorrow — full of sorrow
Year to year we onward go;
Seeking hope in that to-morrow —
Which, when sought, deceives us so!
Oh, affection, friendship, kindness,
Often are ye found asleep;
Often pass ye by in blindness
Wretches that but live to weep.