The following beautiful passing song springs to mind:


THE JOY OF LIVING^^^
Ewan MacColl


Farewell you northern hills, you mountains all good-bye,
Moorlands and stony ridges, crags, and peaks goodbye.
Clithar-Vacht farewell, Ceol Beg Scar Fell, cloud bearing Soo-Van.
Sun-warmed rock and the cold of Bleaklow's frozen sea,
The snow and the wind and the rain - of hills and mountains.
Days in the sun and the temperate wind - and the air like wine,
And you drink and you drink till you're drunk - on the joy of living.

Farewell to you my love, my time is almost done,
Lie in my arms once more until the darkness comes.
You filled all my days, held the night at bay, dearest companion.
Years pass by and they're gone with the speed of a bird in flight,
Our life like a verse of a song - heard in the mountains.
Give me your hand then love - and join your voice with mine,
We'll sing of the hurt and the pain - and the joy of living.

Farewell to you my chicks, soon you must fly alone,
Flesh of my flesh, my future life, bone of my bone.
May your wings be strong, may your days be long, safe be your journey.
Each of you bears inside of you the gift of love,
May it bring you light and warmth - and the pleasure of giving.
Eagerly savour each new day - and the taste that is now,
Never lose sight of the thrill - and the joy of living.

Take me to some high place - of heather, rock and ling,
Scatter my dust and ashes, feed me to the wind.
So that I will be part of all you see, the air you are breathing.
I'll be part of the curlew's cry - and the soaring hawk,
The blue milkworts and the sundew hung with diamonds.
I'll be riding the gentle wind - that blows through your hair,
Reminding you how we shared - in the joy of living.^^^

Ed