The Old Mans Comforts and How He Gained Them by Robert Southey Lyrics
You are old, Father William, the young man cried
The few locks which are left you are grey;
You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man
Now tell me the reason I pray
In the days of my youth, Father William replied
I remember'd that youth would fly fast
And abused not my health and my vigour at first
That I never might need them at last
You are old, Father William, the young man cried
And pleasures with youth pass away
And yet you lament not the days that are gone
Now tell me the reason I pray
In the days of my youth, Father William replied
I remember'd that youth could not last;
I thought of the future whatever I did
That I never might grieve for the past
You are old, Father William, the young man cried
And life must be hastening away;
You are chearful, and love to converse upon death!
Now tell me the reason I pray
I am chearful, young man, Father William replied
Let the cause thy attention engage;
In the days of my youth I remember'd my God!
And He hath not forgotten my age
The few locks which are left you are grey;
You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man
Now tell me the reason I pray
In the days of my youth, Father William replied
I remember'd that youth would fly fast
And abused not my health and my vigour at first
That I never might need them at last
You are old, Father William, the young man cried
And pleasures with youth pass away
And yet you lament not the days that are gone
Now tell me the reason I pray
In the days of my youth, Father William replied
I remember'd that youth could not last;
I thought of the future whatever I did
That I never might grieve for the past
You are old, Father William, the young man cried
And life must be hastening away;
You are chearful, and love to converse upon death!
Now tell me the reason I pray
I am chearful, young man, Father William replied
Let the cause thy attention engage;
In the days of my youth I remember'd my God!
And He hath not forgotten my age