Tell me not in mournful numbers
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers
And things are not what they seem
Life is real!Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art to dust returnest
Was not spoken of the soul
Not enjoyment and not sorrow
Is our destined end or way;
But to act that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day
Art is long and Time is fleeting
And our hearts though stout and brave
Still like muffled drums are beating
Funeral marches to the grave
In the world's broad field of battle
In the bivouac of Life
Be not like dumb driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act —act in the living Present!
Heart within and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints that perhaps another
Sailing o'er life's solemn main
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother
Seeing shall take heart again
Let us then be up and doing
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving still pursuing
Learn to labor and to wait
