NOT FOR MY SAKE

Not for my sake will spring come back
not for my sake will river flow
and some young lass's heart will glow
and beat with love not for my sake
and some young girl's heart will glow
and burn with love--not for my sake

not for my sake will gardens bloom
in Pleasant Plains, a grove will rave
and nightingale's song will pave
spring's glorious path--not for my sake
and nightingale's song will pave
spring's glorious path--not for my sake

not for my sake will streams awake
their water sweet and clear as diamonds
and merry lass with black eyebrows--
she's growing not for my sake
and one with brown beady eyes--
no, none of them is for my sake

not for my sake will Easter come
with brothers sitting at the tables
lips full of wine and ancient fables--
this pleasant life's not for my sake
lips full of wine and ancient fables--
this pleasant life's not for my sake

what's for my sake, you ask?--a piece of lead,
This flesh so gentle it will pierce
and then it'll rain with bitter tears--
if not for mine, than Heaven's sake
perchance someone will shed a tear--
this, brother, is the fate i'll take