Bring me a sharp blade so I can cut The strings that direct my moves And like a puppet make me dance To rhythms foreign to my limbs The voice of desperation Can stop this senseless wheel of life I trust in suffering to free my tortured mind Dum spiro despero, via dolorosa
The God of hope far behind I’ve left The Enlightened One has shown me his path His way I’ll follow, forsaking earthly pain His wise words echo through my brain: “Give up hope and everything you love”
Strength I don’t lack this decision to make But trapped in torment, illusion and pain Aeons of cruel suffering I foresee Before my ignorance shall leave me And my weary mind finally finds rest
Amida, give me the strength I need To trust in your Other Power And follow your noble path Amida here I stand: am I worthy of your Pure Land?