This Old World

1 This old world is full of sorrow,
full of sickness, weak and sore;
if you love your neighbor truly,
love will come to you the more.

2 We’re all children of one family;
we’re all brothers, sisters, too;
if you cherish one another,
love and friendship come to you.

3 This old world can be a garden,
full of fragrance, full of grace;
if we love our neighbors truly,
we must meet them face to face.

4 It is said now, “Love thy neighbor,”
and we know well that is true;
this, the sum of human labor,
true for me as well as you.

Source: Singing the Living Tradition #315