Better Unborn

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 swaddling 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 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 I'd rather die, I'd rather be better unborn If I'd died a three-night-old Been lost in my swaddling hand I'd have needed but a span of doth A span more of wood, But a cubit of goof earth Two words from the priest Three verses from the cantor One clang from the bell 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 I'd rather die, I'd rather be better unborn