THE WORLD IS ASLEEP.
Step softly for the world’s asleepAnd when it wakes, it wakes to weepO’er all the sins and dire mistakesThat it will see when it awakes.O’er griefs and sorrows of the race,Which all mankind must sometimes face.O, world sleep on, ’tis better soThan to awake and see the woe,And burdens that mankind must bear;The aching hearts aye filled with care.In sleep you dream, and dream of peace;From turmoil dire you have surcease.Sleep on! Dream on! From care be freeThrough time, and through eternity.There is no rest, ’tis toil alway;’Tis warfare, death, and then decay.
Step softly for the world’s asleepAnd when it wakes, it wakes to weepO’er all the sins and dire mistakesThat it will see when it awakes.O’er griefs and sorrows of the race,Which all mankind must sometimes face.O, world sleep on, ’tis better soThan to awake and see the woe,And burdens that mankind must bear;The aching hearts aye filled with care.In sleep you dream, and dream of peace;From turmoil dire you have surcease.Sleep on! Dream on! From care be freeThrough time, and through eternity.There is no rest, ’tis toil alway;’Tis warfare, death, and then decay.