How swiftly does mortality end,
As auburn leaves fall from the trees,
As rivers curve around the bend,
As we all drown in bitter seas.
How swiftly are we all forgotten,
As blood rains down and stains the street,
And soldiers fall and die in hundreds;
Everywhere some loss we meet.
How swiftly beauty fades and dies;
He wishes for another taste;
His eyes cloud over as he cries;
His life is running off with haste.
How swiftly do we lose our pride
And give up in the face of sorrow;
When cruel love tosses us aside,
And leaves us dreading the tomorrow.
How swiftly does mortality end,
As auburn leaves fall from the trees,
As rivers curve around the bend,
As we all drown in bitter seas.