The first verse is all that remains to us of the oldest song in the world, written almost 2,000 years ago. Its words were inscribed on the tombstone of a Turkish woman by her husband Seikolos. 

While you live, shine 
have no grief at all  
life exists only for a short while 
and Time demands an end.

Here, I’ve composed my own version ... and I hope Seikolos would have approved! 

Lyrics and vocal Annie Dieu-Le-Veut, April 2024
© Copyright, all rights reserved, Annie Dieu-Le-Veut, April 2024

Music composed by Paul Foss
Contact email: paul@paulfossmusic.com
© Copyright, all rights reserved, Paul Foss, April 2024

Words: 

1.    While you live, shine! Have no grief at all.  Life exists only for a short while and the Reaper will soon demand his due.

 2.     While you thrive, don’t just survive. All the world’s a stage just waiting for you to realise that it’s time to play your part, under the spotlights of the stars. 

3.    While you breathe, believe in your true self and your sovereign right to liberty, guided by your own heart’s dreams and your inner knowingness.
 
4.     While you exist, insist on following your intuition - your inner tuition. It's in your gut. Those feelings are your tutors who will never lead you wrong. 

5.     While you stay, play! Meet your dragons with a smile. See that life is just a game and what’s more.... the ball is in your court, so what are you waiting for?

6. Use your power to flower. Your heart is a young bud, just waiting to bloom and ripen into your first fruits to take to your harvest home. 

7.    Then when you die, fly high ...through that final portal, giving thanks for all you’ve seen and dreamed into being, on Earth, as a mortal.

 8.    But ...while you live, shine. Life exists only for a flash in the eye, like a shooting star across the sky...and the Reaper will soon enough be along with his scythe.   

© Copyright, all rights reserved, Annie Dieu-Le-Veut, April 2024

While You Live, Shine!

Poet, author and podcaster on metaphysics, alchemy and shamanism. 

On here, I'm lucky enough to have met a few fellow travellers that help me to bring my poems to life with their inspired musical creations. So if you'd like a collab, do message me.

Hyperfollow: https://hyperfollow.com/anniedieuleveut