There is a life, of all the lives
That stands above the sea.
Higher than all the sky of skies,
And greater all than we;
It is the life, of all the lives,
Which I aspire to be!

It is the life, of all the lives,
That calls for something more--
To live one's life in goodness; strive,
To walk the fiery floor.
Ready thyself to slowly die,
And swim the poison shore!

And so this life, of all the lives,
I hoped to seize someday!
For truly it is hard to try,
To live the Sainted Way.
But lo, behold! Doth come the light,
I'll clear my quest, I say!

And years and years, of all the lives
I've grown and come to see:
Been grazed, deceived, abused, I've died!
For this I aspire to be!
For O, this life! Of all the lives--
Is not the life for me!