As I was a-walking one morning at ease,
Viewing the leaves as they fell from the trees,
They were all in full motion or appearing to be,
And those that were withered, they fell from the tree.
What is the life of a man any more than a leaf?
A man has his seasons so why should we greave,
Although in this world we appear fine and gay,
Like a leaf we must wither and then fade away.
If you could have seen the leaves but a short time ago,
They were all in full motion appearing to grow,
But the rain came upon them and withered them all,
And the frost came upon them and down they did fall.
What is the life of a man any more than a leaf?
A man has his seasons so why should we greave,
Although in this world we appear fine and gay,
Like a leaf we must wither and then fade away.
If you go to yonder churchyard there you will see,
The names of all the fallen like the leaves from the trees,
Although in this world we may wander with all,
Like a leaf we must wither and down we must fall.
What is the life of a man any more than a leaf?
A man has his seasons so why should we greave,
Although in this world we appear fine and gay,
Like a leaf we must wither and then fade away.
