Lyrics: Charles Aznaourian/Herbert Kretzmer
Music: Charles Aznaourian/Herbert Kretzmer
Yesterday when I was young.
the taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue.
I teased at life as if it were a 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 alas on weak and shifting sand.
I ived by night and shunned the naked light of the 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 happy 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 was all about.
and every conversation I can now recall.
concerned itself with me and nothing else at all.
Yesterday the moon was blue.
and every crazy day brought something new to do.
I used my magic age as if it were a wand.
and never saw the waste and emptiness beyond.
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.