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by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900)

When I am old
 (Sung text for setting by J. Ireland)
 Matches original text
Language: English 
When I am old,
And sadly steal apart,
Into the dark and cold,
Friend of my heart!
Remember, if you can,
Not him who lingers, but that other man,
Who loved and sang, and had a beating heart, --
When I am old!

When I am old,
And all Love's ancient fire
Be tremulous and cold:
My soul's desire!
Remember, if you may,
Nothing of you and me but yesterday,
When heart on heart we bid the tears conspire
To make us old.

When I am old
And every star above
Be pitiless and cold:
My life's one love!
Forbid me not to go:
Remember nought of us but long ago,
And not at last, how love and pity strove
When I grew old.

Composition:

    Set to music by John (Nicholson) Ireland (1879 - 1962), "When I am old"

Text Authorship:

  • by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900), "In tempore senectutis"

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Researcher for this page: Ted Perry

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 123

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