Old Man's Song

Words and Music:  Bill Scott

 

Bill Scott, folklorist, poet, and author of books for children, was born in Bundaberg, Australia in 1923.  He worked at many trades, including cane cutter, steam engine driver, miner, and publisher before becoming a professional writer in 1974.  (GB)

 

When I was a young man I followed the gold

Down in a mineshaft all muddy and cold

Deep in the dark with the flickering light

And nary a nugget to gladden me sight

 

Chorus

And it's way aye now I am old

The mornings were silver the sunsets were gold

 

When I was a young man I followed the sea

Cold wet and shivering often I'd be

Rocked in the rigging or rolled down below

Or sweating me soul out where the gulf traders go

 

Chorus

And it's way aye now I am old

The oceans were sapphires the beaches were gold

 

Now I'm an old man I sit in the sun

Thinking and dreaming of the things that I've done

Remembering laughter forgetting the pain

And I'd go out and do it all over again

 

Chorus

And it's way aye lift it along

What good is your life if it isn't a song

 

 

Old Man's Song is recorded on the album Harbors of Home and is in the songbook Hey Rain!