We Endure

(Words and Music by Joan Baez) 

  The ship that sails the seven seas 
  Has finally brought me to my knees 
  It's not much to my liking 
  The people standing on the rock 
  Are innocent and they know not 
  That the tide comes in 
  Death rides it like a Viking 

  The mountains rise above the mist 
  And the golden prince I've never kissed 
  He may die tonight 
  And why do I want to ride with 
  The prince whose alleged horse is white? 
  Because when we ride together 
  Our lives are cloaked forever 

  Happiness is temporary 
  Believe me, I know 
  It can arrive as a shining crystal 
  And leave as the melting snow 
  Come all you lads and lasses 
  The Kingdom of Childhood passes 

  Oh, but I am hardy in these years 
  Or I'd have sunk down with my tears 
  To the earth beneath my feet 
  I want to endure the slings and arrows 
  That Hamlet spoke about 
  But harrowed, 
  He was forced to a ragged defeat 

  There was a method to his madness 
  But overcome by pride and sadness 
  He did not endure 
  Surely his death was a grave mistake 
  How many deaths do we really calculate? 
  Isn't it true, Lord 
  Tragedies happen when you're bored? 

  Happiness is temporary 
  Believe me, I know 
  It can arrive as a shining crystal 
  And leave as the melting snow 
  Come all you lads and lasses 
  The Kingdom of Childhood passes 

  You archangels, you have some nerve 
  To watch all of this you are absurd 
  You even have a choice 
  Do you know all?  I think you may 
  And what is there for you to say 
  But understand 
  Why God took back your voice 

  SIlence is golden, I believe 
  And you are worth your weight 
  In wreaths of purest gold 
  While we are here with debts and bets 
  And aircraft carriers and jets 
  I call out fruitlessly 
  Give me an archangel for company 

  Happiness is temporary 
  Believe me, I know 
  It can arrive as a shining crystal 
  And leave as the melting snow 
  Come all you lads and lasses 
  The Kingdom of Childhood passes 

  Me in the woods at the break of dawn 
  The candles of the night still on 
  The chimes ring from the hollow 
  I too am worth my weight in gold 
  But the fishmonger and I are old 
  When the mint runs out 
  Our real lives will follow 

  It was misfortune who woke you up 
  To pour you the dregs from her broken cup 
  Cast her aside 
  The sunrise will appear with the mockingbird 
  Who stays deep in the canyon and is heard 
  Glorious in his song 
  He cannot be wrong 

  Happiness is temporary 
  Believe me, I know 
  It can arrive as a shining crystal 
  And leave as the melting snow 
  Come all you lads and lasses 
  The Kingdom of Childhood passes 
  There's another one just beyond 
  Act quickly before it's gone 

  © 1976, 1977 Gabriel Earl Music (ASCAP)