Classic Poem

TUNE — Broom of the Cowdenknows .

When I began the world first,
It was not as 'tis now,
For all was plain and simple then,
And friends were kind and true:
O! the times, the weary weary times,
The times that I now see,
I think the world's all gone wrong,
From what it used to be.

There were not then high capering heads,
Prick'd up from ear to ear,
And clocks and caps were rarities,
For gentle folks to wear,
O! the times, the weary weary times, &c.

There's not an upstart mushroom now,
But what sets up for taste,
And not a lass in all the land,
But must be lady-drest.
O! the times, the weary weary times, &c.

Our young men married then for love,
So did our lasses too,
And children lov'd their parents dear,
As children ought to do.
O! the times, the weary weary times, &c.

For O! the times are sadly chang'd,
A heavy change indeed!
For truth and friendship are no more,
And honesty is fled.
O! the times, the weary weary times, &c.

There's nothing now prevails but pride,
Among both high and low,
And strife, and greed, and vanity,
Is all that's minded now,
O! the times, the weary weary times, &c.

When I look through the world wide,
How times and fashions go,
It draws the tears from both my eyes,
And fills my heart with woe,
O! the times, the weary weary times,
The times that I now see,
I wish the world were at an end,
For it will not mend for me!