Life is nothing but an empty show br On the branch of hope no flowers grow br Everything is dark before her eyes br In her heart only anguish lies br In the whirlpool of life he left her alone br By the hostile fate no mercy was shone br Her brimming youth has lost its charm br Time has done her a great harm br No one is there to share her pain, br Without her husband what is there to gain? br Her days are passed in great ordeal br Her nights are spent devoid of zeal br She sheds her tears br in the dark of night br Any heart would wring br seeing such a sight br Unrest and trouble are under her pillow br Such a miserable life is led by a widow.