What joy of life abideth,
Without the smart of woe?
What glory lingers fadeless
Upon our world below?
All is a fleeting shadow,
And all a fitful gleam,
For death with cruel swiftness,
Dissolves the illusive dream.
O Christ a light unfailing,
A beauty lasting, rare,
Shines in Thy face to charm us,
And cheer us everywhere.
Where Thou art aye abiding,
Where we that light may see,
Grant us, O Christ our Saviour,
For evermore to be.
Greek Title: ποία τοῦ βίου τρυφὴ διαμένει λύπης ἀμέτοχος;
Translator: John Brownlie
Source: Euchologion, p. 413