Salute e Vita

Raise your glass high

And share with me in my joys and grievings

I toast to the mountains and valleys

To the future and the days gone by

I invite you in with good humor and levity

All I have is yours and I pray that you drink deeply

My cup has been emptied

So I may see what it tastes like to be free

Cause for so long this glass has owned me

Focused on the chalice rather than what it contained

So I gave all of worth to the needy and the rest to the

Sea

Then I looked around at all of the beautiful things that

I had gained

What can a glass speak of its contents

And can it boast at its filling?

What else could it do but mutter a quiet thanks

So it is that I look forward to my spillings

For I am sure that such times are the only thing

Steadying my hands from their violent shaking

So with gladness in my heart and hope in my eyes

I drink to my fill of your celebration wine

And as I pour glass after glass

I’ll lift it high

(I’ll lift you high)

And give a hearty toast to life