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Tom Lehrer - When You are Old and Grey

Since I still appreciate you,

Let's find love while we may.

Because I know I'll hate you

When you are old and grey.

 

So say you love me here and now,

I'll make the most of that.

Say you love and trust me,

For I know you'll disgust me

When you're old and getting fat.

 

An awful debility,

A lessened utility,

A loss of mobility

Is a strong possibility.

In all probability

I'll lose my virility

And you your fertility

And desirability,

And this liability

Of total sterility

Will lead to hostility

And a sense of futility,

So let's act with agility

While we still have facility,

For we'll soon reach senility

And lose the ability.

 

Your teeth will start to go, dear,

Your waist will start to spread.

In twenty years or so, dear,

I'll wish that you were dead.

 

I'll never love you then at all

The way I do today.

So please remember,

When I leave in December,

I told you so in May.

Request permission to use this poem
Written by
david-bird
English
Published
Jul 9, 2010
Lines·Words
34·167
Notes

This isn't a poem, it's a song. And it certainly is not mine.

But the wordplay is so utterly stunning, it needs sharing wherever possible.

Please watch the genius in action here....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NOZH0y7VxE

Permission

Request to use this poem

Tell david-bird how you would like to use it. We review requests before forwarding them.

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