We wear the mask that grins and lies
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes
This debt we pay to human guile
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile
And mouth with myriad subtleties
Why should the world be over wise
In counting all our tears and sighs
Nay, let them see us only while
We wear the mask
We smile, but oh great Christ our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet and long the mile
But let the world dream otherwise
We wear the mask
