Better it would be for me

And better it would have been

Had I not been born, not grown

Not been brought into the world

Not had to come to this earth

Not been suckled for the world



If I'd died a three-night-old

Been lost in my swadding band

I'd have needed but a span of cloth

A span more of wood,

But a cubit of good earth

Two words from the priest

Three verses from the cantor

One clang from the bell