Yesterday, When I Was Young

Yesterday, when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue
I teased at life as if it were some foolish game
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame

The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
I always built, at last, on weak and shifting sand
I lived my life and never asked the time of day
And only now I see how the years ran away

Yesterday, when I was young
So many happy songs were waiting to be sung
So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see

I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
I never stopped to think what life is all about
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me and nothing else at all



The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died
The friends I made all seemed, somehow, to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
The time has come for me to pay for yesterday
When I was young