American Old Time Song Lyrics: 42 Sweet Childhoods Days

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 42

SWEET CHILDHOOD'S DAYS.
Copyright, 1893, by Francis, Day & Hunter.
Written and Composed by Harry Dacre.

Which of us have never yearned for the days of youthful mirth,
When, alas! too late we've learned what those simple joys are worth;
There are joys in later life, but they are alloyed with pain,
Till the heart grows sick of strife, and we long for youth again.

Chorus.
Sweet childhood's days! sweet childhood's days!
We look back now with mournful gaze;
Again we hear, through many a year,
Sweet voices from sweet childhood's days!

Often in the race for wealth, human happiness is sold,
Sacrificing love and health for the magic gleam of gold;
When at last the hair turns gray, what to them is golden gain,
They would give it all away, just to be a child again.

Chorus.
Sweet childhood's days! sweet childhood's days!
We look back now with mournful gaze;
Again we hear, through many a year,
Sweet voices from sweet childhood's days!

Even in the prison cells, where the hearts are black with crime,
Still in them some mem'ry dwells of the bygone happy time;
Call them outcasts if you will, yet they have some human ways,
Lips will tremble, eyes will fill, when you speak of childhood's days.

Chorus.
Sweet childhood's days! sweet childhood's days!
They look back now with yearning gaze;
What would they give if they could live
Once more those joys of childhood's days!

see the girl whose spotless name once was valued more than rank,
Now in desperation's shame crouching by the river's bank;
Duped by vile pretense of love, she has lost the name she bore,
Bear her pray to Him above, make me but a child once more,

Chorus.
Sweet childhood's days! sweet childhood's days!
She looks back now with tearful gaze;
Again she hears through all these years
Sweet voices from her childhood days!