Oh earth would be a holy place
A realm for angels fit
Oh were it not for the unquiet race
Who thickly tenant it
There is enough, enough for all
And much beside to spare
Yet hundreds daily, hourly fall
From want and woe and care
The poor men work and plough and till
And cultivate the soil
The rich men reap and spend at will
The profits of their toil
Why is it thus we did create
Lords, Senators and Kings?
To trample down their fellow man
As mean and soulless things
But now alas poor fleeting life
Has made a cheerless scene
Of war and woe and theft and strife
And scarce a joy between
Kingcraft and priestcraft side by side
Reign pregnant through the land
While crime and luxury and pride
March forward hand in hand
Oh sweet Earth thou paradise
Of all things bright and fair
God made thee such but man, Alas
Has filled thee with despair
The earth would be a holy place
As paradise above
Could we but teach the human race
Equality and love