Three sisters
Came to me last night
Last night
They said, "There's a boat
On the shore
A gas lantern and one oar
For your trip
Go home
And tell your mother don't
Don't weep for me
Leave everything you have there
For beasts of the field and birds of the air
To trample and steal."
"Three sisters
Tell me what you're called
You're named by men."
"Want of love,"
Said the first
"The most noble aim on Earth
And I am known by all."
"Want of wealth,"
Said the next
"So your work's not meaningless
And I am loved by most."
"Want of none,"
Said the third
As her sisters' faces turned
And they seemed to forget me
"With one of us
You must sail
It's always been and always will
Though no one's ever told you."
"My mother lived alone
So I have no need of love
And I have no wish to conquer man
I see no need for needy friends."
The sisters laughed
"There's truly nothing that you need
You won't miss us when we leave,"
And I had cast them out
To the boat I was led
As we approached, I turned and said "Wait ...
I need some oil."
I said, "To light the lamp
I need some oil
To steer the boat I need two oars."
The sisters said, "Money can buy you oil
And a friend can man an oar."