 | English melodies |  |
159
'TIS BETTER THAT LIFE SHOULD BE MERRY.
Old Time takes a glass to remind him of hours,
And we take a glass to forget them;
'Tis better by far to enjoy Pleasure's flowers—
Than, after they're gone, to regret them:
Old Time may despise, with a feeling sublime,
Our bumpers of claret or sherry!
But we, with all proper submission to Time,
Think it better that life should be merry;
Be merry!
Think it better that life should be merry.
And we take a glass to forget them;
'Tis better by far to enjoy Pleasure's flowers—
Than, after they're gone, to regret them:
Old Time may despise, with a feeling sublime,
Our bumpers of claret or sherry!
But we, with all proper submission to Time,
Think it better that life should be merry;
Be merry!
Think it better that life should be merry.
Old Time takes a scythe, us poor mortals to chase,
And cuts all his friends without measure;
We'd ne'er take a scythe, were we but in his place,
Unless the glad harvest was pleasure!
Old Time may take pride over ages to climb,
Bringing hosts for old Charon to ferry;
But we, with all proper submission to Time,
Think it better that life should be merry;
Be merry!
Think it better that life should be merry.
And cuts all his friends without measure;
We'd ne'er take a scythe, were we but in his place,
Unless the glad harvest was pleasure!
160
Bringing hosts for old Charon to ferry;
But we, with all proper submission to Time,
Think it better that life should be merry;
Be merry!
Think it better that life should be merry.
| English melodies | |