A PSALM OF LIFE
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882).

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.

[Notes: Don't tell me life is meaningless.  You must strive to give your life purpose.]

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.

[Notes: You should live life to the fullest.  The last two lines are a phrase about the body, not the soul.]

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us further than to-day.

[Notes: There is no other goal in life than day-to-day living.]

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.

[Notes: Accomplishments take time and life is short.  Each heartbeat brings you closer to the end of your life.]

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!

[Notes: In life, don't just follow along.  Take charge like a hero in battle.]

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!

[Notes: Don't idly dream about the future or dwell on the past.  Act in the present.]

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

[Notes: Great men before us have made their lives great and have left their mark on the world.]

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

[Notes: Great men's achievements are an inspiration to others.]

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait,

[Notes: Keep pursuing your goals no matter what the outcome.]