GROWIN’ GRAY

Hello, ole man, you‘ re a-gittin’ gray, An’ it beats ole Ned to see the way ‘ At the crow's feet's a-getherin’ aroun’ yore eyes; Tho’ it ought n't to cause me no su'prise,

Fur there‘ s many a sun‘ at you‘ ve seen rise An’ many a one you‘ ve seen go down Sence yore step was light an’ yore hair was brown, An’ storms an’ snows have had their way —

Hello, ole man, you‘ re a-gittin’ gray. Hello, ole man, you‘ re a-gittin’ gray, An’ the youthful pranks‘ at you used to play Are dreams of a far past long ago

That lie in a heart where the fires burn low — That has lost the flame though it kept the glow, An’ spite of drivin’ snow an’ storm, Beats bravely on forever warm.

December holds the place of May — Hello, ole man, you‘ re a-gittin’ gray. Hello, ole man, you‘ re a-gittin’ gray — Who cares what the carpin’ youngsters say?

For, after all, when the tale is told, Love proves if a man is young or old! Old age can n't make the heart grow cold When it does the will of an honest mind;

When it beats with love fur all mankind; Then the night but leads to a fairer day — Hello, ole man, you‘ re a-gittin’ gray!