I who was young so long,
Young and alert and gay,
Now that my hair is grey,
Begin to change my song.

Now I know right from wrong,
Now I know pay and pray ,
I who was young so long,
Young and alert and gay.

Now I follow the throng,
Walk in the beaten way,
Hear what the elders say,
And own that I was wrong —
I who was young so long.