
When I was young and innocent
And little malice knew,
I witnessed with astonishment
The deeds that men would do;
The plots they planned, the flames they fanned,
The venom of their tongue --
I found it hard to understand
It all when I was young.
Now that I'm old I comprehend
It ever will be so,
That men will constantly contend,
Exchanging blow for blow;
Through history they've shamelessly,
With passions uncontrolled,
Behaved like beasts -- I sadly see
It all now that I'm old.