We really do have issues to resolve and jobs to do but our attitudes toward these things are in our own hands. I recognize that it's not always easy to be merry when the hardships of life are upon us. I'm not always merry, to say the least. But when I remember to be gentle and in good humor whatever is occurring, it always makes for a better experience. With the approach to life that this simple song advises, we minimize the unpleasant and maximize the pleasant.
Life is but a dream.
And as we age, we come to see how fleeting a dream it is. Take whatever is left of your dream and seek to row more gently down the stream. Be kinder to those you encounter as well as to yourself. Indulge in the merriment that is offered. Share your dream with others.