Commentary
It is good while we have it, this gift of life as fortunate members of a favored species on a favored planet. But is it ours to keep? Do we own it?
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Lyrics
Such fine housing we live in --
The envy of ancient kings.
We can say that we own it
But what does that mean?
Ownership is illusion. What we own is nil.
We rent month to moment, at landlord’s will
at landlord’s will.
This planet we live on.
A better one you won’t find.
With soil, air, water, night, day, seasons . . .
It pulses with life sublime.
Ownership is illusion. What we own is nil.
We rent orbit rotate at landlord’s will
at landlord’s will.
This body we inhabit
-- Such skilled hands and brain ! --
From out of dust was assembled and shall
Unto dust turn again.
So be careful with the landlord’s stuff
“At will” means no notice required when he’s had enough.
Ownership is illusion. What we own is nil.
We rent breath to heartbeat at landlord’s will
at landlord’s will.