A sage there was long, long ago,
A mandarin named Wei Hai Wo,
And at his window all day long
He sat and softly hummed this song
“How silly, Lily, lackaday!
“Deary daisy me!”
Said young Sin Ching to Wei Hai Wo,
“Please tell me why you sit there so?
I never chance this way to come
But that I always hear you hum,
“How silly, Lily, lackaday!
“Deary daisy me!”
“Well listen, friend,” said Wei Hai Wo,
“I love to watch the passing show,
“I take things easy, good and bad.
“Why should I rush through life like mad?
“How silly, Lily, lackaday!
“Deary, daisy me!”
“If others wish to run about
“Then let them. But let me look out.
“I’ve found that peace, my good Sin Ching,
“Is quite the most important thing.
“You see now why I sit and sing,
“How silly, Lily, lackaday!
“Deary, daisy me!”