One and Twenty

Nesmith Michael

Compositor: AE Housman / Michael Nesmith

When I was one and twenty
I heard a wise man say
Give crowns and pounds and guineas
But not your heart away
Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free

But I was one and twenty
No use to talk to me

When I was one and twenty
I heard him say again,
The heart out of the breast
was never given in vain
It's sold for sighs a-plenty
And paid with endless rue

Now I am two and twenty
And oh, 'tis true