our hope and happiness

when we begin we seek the afterglow
the light of a banked fire in every eye
we're ruthless in the swell and in the flow
when we begin we seek the afterglow

in deepest summer we desire the snow
we're fearful of the dark and lowering sky
when we begin we seek the afterglow
the light of a banked fire in every eye

not now to envy the fresh young and spry
do we require that they pass every test
from mountain to the rivers running by
not now to envy the fresh young and spry

all power of magic resides in the lie
that we accept and colour as a jest
not now to envy the fresh young and spry
do we require that they pass every test

this world we face requires both vim and zest
to smile when we would rather choose to glower
to accept mere good rather than just and best
this world we face requires both vim and zest

to have to move when each would want to rest
is the condition of the urgent hour
this world we face requires both vim and zest
to smile when we would rather choose to glower

at once to move and stay in the safe tower
we have to choose and still we want to know
whether our love remains warm in the bower
at once to move and stay in the safe tower

all in the end comes down to will and power
the need and the desire to make things so
at once to move and stay in the safe tower
we have to choose and still we want to know