The Housewife’s Lament

Last night in my dreams
I was stationed forever
On a far little rock in the midst of the sea
My one chance in life was a ceaseless endeavour
To sweep off the waves as they swept over me

All life is a toil, and love is a trouble
Beauty will fade and riches will flee
Pleasures they dwindle and price is the double
And nothing is as nothing should be

There's too much of worrying
That goes to the bonnet
There’s too much of ironing that goes to the shirt
There's nothing that pays for the time you waste on it
There's nothing that lasts but the trouble of dirt

All life is a toil, and love is a trouble
Beauty will fade and riches will flee
Pleasures they dwindle and price is the double
And nothing is as nothing should be

In March it’s the mud it's the slush in December
The midsummer breeze is loaded with dust
In Fall the leaves litter, a muddy September
Wallpaper rots and candlesticks rot

All life is a toil, and love is a trouble
Beauty will fade and riches will flee
Pleasures they dwindle and price is the double
And nothing is as nothing should be

All life is a toil, and love is a trouble
Beauty will fade and riches will flee
Pleasures they dwindle and price is the double
And nothing is as nothing should be

There's nothing is as nothing should be