Envy

(album: The Seven Deadly Sins - 1998)

[Anna I:]
And the last big town we came to was San Francisco
Life, there, was fine, only Anna felt so tired
And grew envious of others
Of those who pass the time at their ease and in comfort
Those too proud to be bought
Of those whose wrath is kindled by injustice
Those who act upon their impulses happily
Lovers true to their loved ones
And those who take what they need without shame
Whereupon I told my poor tired sister
When I saw how much she envied them

"Sister, from birth we may write our own story
And anything we choose we are permitted to do
But the proud and insolent who strut in their glory...
Little they guess, little they guess
Little they guess the fate they're swaggering to

Sister, be strong! You must learn to say no to
The joys of this world, for this world is a snare
Only the fools of this world will let you go
Who don't care a damn, don't care a damn
Don't care a damn, will be made to care

Don't let the flesh and it's longings get you
Remember the price that a lover must pay
And say to yourself when temptations beset you...
What is the use? what is the use?
Beauty will perish and youth pass away

Sister, you know, when our life here is over
Those who were good to go to bliss unalloyed
Those who were bad are rejected forever
Gnashing their teeth, gnashing their teeth
Gnashing their teeth in a gibbering void"

[Family:]
Who fights the good fight and all self subdues
Wins the palm, gains the crown