Yesterday When I Was YoungHerbert Kretzmer Yesterday when I was youngthe taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue.I teased at life as if it were a foolish g ame,the way the evening breeze may tease a candle fl ame.The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I plannedI always built alas on weak and shifting sand.I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the dayand only now I see how the years ran away.Yesterday when I was youngso many drinking songs were waiting to be sung,so many wayward pleasures lay in store for meand 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 aboutand every conversation I can now recallconcerned itself with me and nothing else at all.Yesterday the moon was blueand every crazy day brought something new to do.I used my magic age as if itwere a wandand never saw the waste and emptiness beyond.The g ame of love I played with arrogance and prideand every flame I lit too quickly quickly died.The friedns I made all seemed somehow to drift awayand 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.
