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Once in Persia reigned a king
Who upon his regal ring
Etched a caption true and wise
Which, he held before his eyes
Gave him counsel at a glance
Fit for every change and chance
Solemn words, and these are they
"Even this shall pass away"
Trains of camels through the sand
Brought him gems from Samarkand
Fleets of galleys through the seas
Brought him pearls to rival these
But he counted little gain
Treasures of the mine or main
"What is wealth?" The king would say
"Even this shall pass away"
In the revels of his court
At the zenith of his sport
When the palms of all his guests
Burned with clapping at his jests
Amid his figs and wine
He cried, "O loving friends of mine"
"Pleasures come, but not to stay"
"Even this shall pass away"
Towering up above the square
Way up high into the air
Rose his statue, carved in stone
All disguised, all unknown
Gazing at his sculptured name
Asked himself, "What is fame?"
"Fame is but a slow decay"
"And even this shall pass away"
Sick and tired and fading
Thinnish, beat and old
Stood a mile outside the Gates of Gold
Speaking with his dying breath
"Life is done, so what is Death?"
Then, in answer to the king
Fell a sunbeam on his ring
Blinding light through fading gray
"'Cause even this shall pass away"
"Even this shall pass away"
"Even this shall pass"
"Even this shall pass away"
Away
Away
Away
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