American Old Time Song Lyrics: 40 Id Live Life Over In The Same Old Way

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 40

I'd Live Life Over in the Same Old Way
Copyright, 1893, by Frank Hording.
Words by Ed. B. Marks. Music by Will H. Fox.

A little lad of ten or so sat at his teacher's knee,
A gray-haired man of sixty years or more;
A pretty picture thus they made-old age and youth, you see;
They sat and talked life's prospects o'er and o'er.
The little fellow, full of youth's ambition, said with glee:
"I mean to be a rich man ere I die;
How is it you're not wealthy when you've lived so long? "asked he
To which the old man gave him this reply:

Chorus.
"I'm an old man now my one crime I was honest,
While others took advantage, growing richer day by day;
Now to maintain home and wife is a struggle and a strife.
But I'd live life over in the same old way."

With hesitating manner now a stranger soon draws near,
The teacher with the boy still at his knee,
And answers to the question asked, "What may your wishes be?"
"A chance to earn a living, if you please."
The teacher slowly shakes his head in sad perplexity,
The boy impulsive grasps his hand and cries:
"I'll get him work in father's mill, but how came he so poor?"
The stranger hears the question and replies;

Chorus.
"I'm a poor man now, perhaps I gave too freely;
My purse was ever open, I turned no hand away.
Now with sneers And scarce a bow, those I've helped they shun me now,
But I'd live life over in the same old way."

In time the lad grew up to be his father's pride and heir;
His schooling o'er, he took charge of the mill.
'Twas there he first saw Nellie Lee's blue eyes and golden hair;
He wooed and wed despite the father's will.
The latter vowed he'd ne'er acknowledge him his son again,
And cast him off to earn his daily bread.
Once meeting him the teacher asked, "has riches come as yet?"
The young man sighed And slowly shook his head:

Chorus.
"I'm an outcast now, it night have been far diff'rent;
To cast aside such prospects was foolish, so they say;
But I'll trust in Him above, and I'll work for her I love,
And I'd live life over in the same old way.