Young and Old

Young and Old

Original Text
Charles Kingsley, The water-babies; a fairy tale for a land-baby (London: Macmillan, 1863). vnh Fisher Rare Book Library
1When all the world is young, lad,
2    And all the trees are green;
3And every goose a swan, lad,
4    And every lass a queen;
5Then hey for boot and horse, lad,
6    And round the world away!
7Young blood must have its course, lad,
8    And every dog his day.
9When all the world is old, lad,
10    And all the trees are brown;
11And all the sport is stale, lad,
12    And all the wheels run down;
13Creep home, and take your place there,
14    The spent and maimed among;
15God grant you find one face there,
16    You loved when all was young.
Publication Start Year
1863
RPO poem Editors
J. D. Robins
RPO Edition
2RP.2.487; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme