When sparrows build and the leaves break forth
My old sorrow wakes and cries.

When sparrows build and the leaves break forth
My old sorrow wakes and cries.

O, sorrow!
Why dost borrow
Heart's lightness from the merriment of May?

O, sorrow!
Why dost borrow
Heart's lightness from the merriment of May?

A happier lot were mine,
If I must lose thee, to go down to earth,
For I read more

A happier lot were mine,
If I must lose thee, to go down to earth,
For I shall have no hope when thou art gone,--
Nothing but sorrow. Father have I none,
And no dear mother.

Oh, that was a good time, when I was unhappy.
[Fr., Oh c'etait le bon temps, j'etais bien malheureuse.]
read more

Oh, that was a good time, when I was unhappy.
[Fr., Oh c'etait le bon temps, j'etais bien malheureuse.]
- credited to Sophie Arnould,

The path of sorrow, and that path alone,
Leads to the lands where sorrow is unknown.

The path of sorrow, and that path alone,
Leads to the lands where sorrow is unknown.

People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim.

People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim.

Since sorrow never comes too late
And happiness too swiftly flies.

Since sorrow never comes too late
And happiness too swiftly flies.

In the bitter waves of woe,
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds which blow
read more

In the bitter waves of woe,
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds which blow
From the desolate shores of doubt.

I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser,
read more

I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser,
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me!