Even This Shall Pass Away

Once in Persia reigned a king

Who upon his signet ring

Graved a maxim true and wise

Which, if 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 Samarcand

Fleets of galleys through the sea

Brought him pearls to rival these

But he counted not his gain

Treasures of the mine or main

"What is wealth?" the king would say

"Even this shall pass away."

In the revel of his court

At the zenith of his sport

When the palms of all his guests

Burned with clapping at his jest

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, 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 frail, finished being old

Stood in line outside the Gates of Gold

Speaking with his dying breath

"Life is done, so what is Death?"

Then in answer to the king

I felt a sunbeam on his ring

Blinding light will fade to gray

'Cause even this shall pass away

Even this shall pass away

Even this shall pass

Even this shall pass away

Away

Away

Away