“You know how little time we have to stay,
“And, once departed, may return no more.”
Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears
Today of past Regrets and future fears....
Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
Before we too into the Dust descend;
Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,
Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and - sans End!..
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a line
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
[From the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by R Burton]
In Latin America, the McGirks used to read the Rubaiyat aloud to one another
Music at their Wake : Kelly Cuffe vocals, with Ukelele and Acoustic Guitar
- I am a Pilgrim
- I'll Fly Away
- By the Rivers of Babylon
- Amazing Grace
- Bye Bye Blackbird
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful Life