With me along the strip of herbage strown
that alone divides the desert from the sown,
where name of slave and king is forgot –
and peace to god on his golden throne.
A book of verse underneath the bough,
a jug of wine, a loaf of bread – and thou
beside me singin’ in the wilderness –
oh, wilderness is paradise now!
Some for the glories sigh of this world
and some for the prophet’s paradise to come:
Oh, take the cash and let the credit go,
nor heed the rumble of the distant drum!
Look to the glowing Golden Rose – “Oh,
laughing”, she says, “into the world I glow.”
At once the silken tassel of my purse
I tear, and all treasures on the garden throw.
Oh, my beloved, fill the cup that clears
today of past regrets and future fears
and make the most of what we yet may spend
with wine and song and singer and no end.
Come, fill the cup, and in the fire of spring,
your winter garment of repentance fling.
Yes, indeed, repentance oft before
I swore – but was I sober when I swore?
Oh, love! Could thou and I with fate conspire
to grasp this sorry scheme of things entire,
would not we shatter it to bits – and then
remould it nearer to the heart’s desire!
“I came like water, and like wind I go …”
Lyrics: Omar Khayyam adapted to music by Michel Montecrossa.
Additional lyrics: Michel Montecrossa, Music: Michel Montecrossa, © Mira Sound Germany