It’s vanity, vanity, all is for vanity
A chasing for wind in a world of insanity.
The sun will arise in the eastern skies to return
Again the next morning. Around and around
The worlds are all spinning, returning, nowhere.
While man and his doings decay on the ground,
Our times are a cycle; we’re born and we die.
In trying for pleasure you’ll find it is void,
That women and wine and the songs of fools
Will burn up your years and then leave you in tears.
Now passion athirst is forever your rule,
And chains will enslave as a hell in the grave.
What God has made crooked is bent for all time
He makes a thing straight and it stands up sublime.
A man who has wisdom may die as the fool
The swiftest of runners might stumble and fall
The days of the just one are shortened and cruel
While evil in pride is out stripping the right.
Injustice prevails and the righteous are cursed.
The laborer gathers for one who will follow.
A man who’s industrious never at rest
He dies, and his wealth, it will go to a stranger.
The fool, he is chasing for wind, it’s a jest
And the wise when he dies it will be as the fool.
It’s vanity, vanity, all is for vanity
A chasing for wind in a world of insanity.
The end is awaiting all men in the grave
To level the saint and the sinner; the millionaire
And the handmaid; all die as a cockroach.
So men of this world take care, consider life and beware.
A season for each; then we fall to death’s reach.
For death is at hand and it’s calling your name
And answer each must for she’s staring at us
All heedless of power, achievement, or fame.
And naked she’ll bury you deep in the dust
Your mem’ry forgot and your life all a dream.
The wheel will be broken, your pitcher will shatter
Remember your Maker before your ashes all scatter.
‘Tis better by far for one hand to be filled
Then grasping two handfuls and lacking true peace.
The man to be pitied the most is the one
Who chasing for joys in the wind without cease
Yet never can taste of the beauty of earth.
So live for what’s good, it is better than life.
And eat your own bread with a heart of delight,
Enjoy all of vanitys days with your wife.
If laboring honestly take your reward
With a heart full of thanks for the gift of the Lord.
Fear God, His commands keep; ‘cause the end’s understood
For God will soon judge all that’s evil and good.
Reflective Wanderer 