Childhood

In moments when idle
As time passes by
My thoughts gravely wander
With tear and with sigh
To scenes of my childhood
Dear children so fair
When I was so free
From all pain and all care

The beautiful parties
We had on the green
The gray speckled trout
We would catch in the stream
Over the mountains
With gayness and song
I knew not the cares
That were coming along

O if I could wander
Through childhood again...