When the waters broke on the shore of my life
and I was collected in the sand
Before I knew of pain and strife
a bucket was put into my hands

Confused, I turned and looked about
Setting the silver bucket down
I did not know why things were this way
Until I heard a loud voice say:

Gather up treasure
All you can hold
be it pleasures or riches
Silver and gold!

This is the hour to make your mark
to let the old world know who you are
So travel the inns and find all the ends
reach for the places the universe bends

Excited I set out into the earth
carrying the bucket of my birth
observing others along the way
and taking life for all its worth

Soon my pail was full to its brim
with so much I treasured there within
still I felt it was empty somehow
So I tried to carry more now

By the time my journey wound down
My overloaded stature was so low
My eyes could only observe the ground
And what I carry became all I know

At the river where we finally cross
Beyond the waves where life is tossed
I met the boat man who barred my way
and waited to hear what he would say

You cannot take back what you have
Why did you gather more than you should?
You can't board with that on your back
And this boat might sink if you would

My sadness is greater now at this end
Should not have carried more than I could hold
I should have spent time to gather friends
for this tarnished bucket is my very soul