(verses are sung in dialog - the teacher asking the questions and the scholars providing the answers) What do the beautiful roses say? Sweet is our perfume but short is our stay. What says the hummingbird, do you know? Winter is coming and soon I must go. (chorus, sung by all) Passing away, passing away, Second and minute and hour and day, Birdie and blossom, how short is your stay, Passing away, passing away. What says the clock, with its tick-a-tick-tick? Time passes swiftly, be quick, oh be quick. What are the words of the rivulet's song? I cannot tarry, I must run along. (chorus) What does the sun in the morning say? Over I go for another bright day. What does yur heart by its beating tell? Earth life is passing, then where will I dwell! (chorus)