Friendship - Via Tim Eriksen.
Complete lyrics by Mr. Bidwell of Connecticut,
as published in the Philadelphia Songster, 1789

FRIENDSHIP
(by Mr. Bidwell of Connecticut)

Friendship to every willing mind
Opens a heavenly treasure:
There may the sons of sorrow find
Sources of real pleasure.
See what employments men pursue,
Then you will own my words are true:
Friendship alone presents to view
Sources of real pleasure.

Poor are the joys that fools esteem,?
Fading and transitory;?
Mirth is as fleeting as a dream,?
Or a delusive story;?
Luxury leaves a sting behind,?
Wounding the body and the mind;?
Only in Friendship can we find?
Pleasure and solid glory.

Beauty, with all its gaudy shows,?
Is but a painted bubble;?
Short is the triumph wit bestows,?
Full of deceit and trouble;?
Fame like a shadow flees away,?
Titles and dignities decay;?
Nothing but Friendship can display?
Joys that are free from trouble.

Learning (that boasted glittering thing)?
Scarcely is worth possessing;?
Riches, forever on the wing,?
Cannot be called a blessing;?
Sensual pleasures swell desire,?
Just as the fuel feeds the fire;?
Friendship can real bliss inspire:?
Bliss that is worth possessing.

Happy the man who has a friend?
Formed by the God of nature;?
Well may he feel and recommend?
Friendship for his Creator:?
Then let our hearts in Friendship join,?
So let our social powers combine,?
Ruled by a passion most divine:?
Friendship with our Creator


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52xrLuT9XC4


Tim Radford