Not understood, we move along asunder; 
 Our paths grow wider as the seasons creep 
Along the years; we marvel and we wonder 
 Why life is life, and then we fall asleep 
 Not understood. 

Not understood, we gather false impressions 
 And hug them closer as the years go by; 
Till virtues often seem to us transgressions; 
 And thus men rise and fall, and live and die 
 Not understood. 

Not understood! Poor souls with stunted vision 
 Oft measure giants with their narrow gauge; 
The poisoned shafts of falsehood and derision 
 Are oft impelled 'gainst those who mould the age, 
 Not understood. 

Not understood! The secret springs of action 
 Which lie beneath the surface and the show, 
Are disregarded; with self-satisfaction 
 We judge our neighbours, and they often go 
 Not understood. 

Not understood! How trifles often change us! 
 The thoughtless sentence and the fancied slight 
Destroy long years of friendship, and estrange us, 
 And on our souls there falls a freezing blight; 
 Not understood. 

Not understood! How many breasts are aching 
 For lack of sympathy! Ah! day by day 
How many cheerless, lonely hearts are breaking! 
 How many noble spirits pass away, 
 Not understood. 

O God! that men would see a little clearer, 
 Or judge less harshly where they cannot see! 
O God! that men would draw a little nearer 
 To one another, -- they'd be nearer Thee, 
 And understood.