Two Lives - Daniel Kahn, Vanya Zhuk

When the time of youth has ended

And the good old days are gone

All that nature has intended

Will assuredly transpire

And the fairest and the holiest

The fairest and the holiest

Will fall into the fire

While the barest and the hollowest

The barest and the hollowest

Will fall into your arms

Two lives are not granted to you

Two fortunes are not given, either

The truth is that out of the two

You end up with one thing, or neither

Who answers the heavenly call?

The trumpet’s profound salutation?

For fate doesn’t smile upon all

Just the fortunate find their relation

Be not miserly with kindness

Neither greedy with your grace

Let not augury nor blindness

Human intimacy sever

You will forfeit every morsel

Yes, you’ll forfeit every morsel

In this pitiless endeavor

And your bitterness and trouble

Yes, your bitterness and trouble

Will be written on your face

Two lives are not granted to you

Two fortunes are not given, either

The truth is that out of the two

You end up with one thing, or neither

Who answers the heavenly call?

The trumpet’s profound salutation?

For fate doesn’t smile upon all

Just the fortunate find their relation

It’s a pity youth is gone

It’s a pity time is spent

You could fit it all into your palm

There’s only bruises in your spirit

And the center of the mystery

The center of the mystery

You never will get near it

It’s a dark and narrow hallway

Yes, a dark and narrow hallway

Leading straight down to the end