From Davidson's Universal Melodist by George Henry Davidson (London: G. H. Davidson, 1853), page 4:


THE LAUGHING SONG
From the opera of Der Freyshutz; the music by C. M. Von Weber, the words by George Soane, A.B.
Published by Davidson.

1. What's the use of all this thinking,
Till the weary spirit's sinking?
Better passes time by far,
Singing, laughing, ha, ha, ha!

CHORUS: Singing, laughing, ha, ha, ha, ha,
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
Singing, laughing, singing, laughing!
Better passes time by far,
Singing, laughing, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

2. When the dream of life is over,
What does wisdom then discover?
That the plan is better far,
Singing, laughing, ha, ha, ha! CHORUS