Oh friendship, if I could but give your gift
To all the world, and in that moment share
The boundless joy that makes our spirits lift
And puts to rest every mundane care;
If I had the rest of this world's life
To make all strangers known to one another,
To put an end to all the petty strife
And call them all my sister or my brother -
If I could but help them understand
The boundless happiness we could all know
Which seems so far, yet lies so close at hand,
As fruits whose seeds we have only to sow
In that purpose I would be content
To see my labours of life well-spent.
To all the world, and in that moment share
The boundless joy that makes our spirits lift
And puts to rest every mundane care;
If I had the rest of this world's life
To make all strangers known to one another,
To put an end to all the petty strife
And call them all my sister or my brother -
If I could but help them understand
The boundless happiness we could all know
Which seems so far, yet lies so close at hand,
As fruits whose seeds we have only to sow
In that purpose I would be content
To see my labours of life well-spent.