There was a time, there was a time, 
When I was young and free 
And every day the village chime 
Brought music sweet to me.
 
The memory of some olden song, 
Some scene or flow'r or tree, 
Still brings to mind the merry throng, 
That sported there with me.

There was a time, there was a time, 
That told us we must part 
And then the once loved village chime, 
Fell sadly on my heart.

I bade farewell to the old grey tower, 
And on the village green 
No more at evening's peaceful hour, 
My merry friends were seen.

But once again, oh! once again, 
Those joyous days appear, 
Again the bells sound o'er the plain, 
And good old friends are near. 

Again I hear the merry song, 
Beneath the old oak tree, 
And see around the happy throng 
That sported there with me.