Yesterday, When I Was Young lyrics by Roy Clark, 26 meanings. Yesterday, When I Was Young explained, official 2025 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com

Roy Clark – Yesterday, When I Was Young lyrics

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Roy Clark – Yesterday, When I Was Young lyrics
Seems the love I've known has always been
The most destructive kind
Yes, that's why now I feel so old
Before my time.

Yesterday when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue.
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game,
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame.
The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
I'd always built to last on weak and shifting sand.
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day
And only now I see how the years ran away.

Yesterday when I was young
So many happy songs were waiting to be sung,
So many wild pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see.
I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out,
I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me and nothing else at all.

--- Instrumental ---

Yesterday the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do.
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond.
The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died.
The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play.

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung,
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue.
The time has come for me to pay for
Yesterday when I was young...
Explain Request
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Seems the love I've known has always been The most destructive kind Yes, that's why now I feel so old Before my time. Yesterday when I was young The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue. I teased at life as if it were a foolish game, The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame. The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned I'd always built to last on weak and shifting sand. I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day And only now I see how the years ran away. Yesterday when I was young So many happy songs were waiting to be sung, So many wild pleasures lay in store for me And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see. I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out, I never stopped to think what life was all about And every conversation I can now recall Concerned itself with me and nothing else at all. --- Instrumental --- Yesterday the moon was blue And every crazy day brought something new to do. I used my magic age as if it were a wand And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond. The game of love I played with arrogance and pride And every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died. The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away And only I am left on stage to end the play. There are so many songs in me that won't be sung, I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue. The time has come for me to pay for Yesterday when I was young... Explain Request ×



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Songwriters: Charles Aznavour, Herbert Kretzmer
Yesterday, When I Was Young lyrics © EDITIONS MUSICALES DJANIK, T.R.O. INC.
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Yesterday, When I Was Young meanings Post my meaning

  • U
    + 19
    Unregistered 2015-09-09 19:02:37
    This song rings so true for most of us. We kind of sprinted through our youth without a thought for the consequences. And now they're here to haunt us. Fortunately, something woke me up in time to salvage things so very important - a wonderful wife, two awesome sons and their wives and four unbelievable grandchildren. But thinking about the past brings cringes to my soul. I truly regret the arrogant, ego filled things I did. Wisdom arrives to late to erase stupidity, but redemption is there for some of us who recognize the need for it.
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  • U
    + 19
    Unregistered 2012-05-02 16:34:34
    I was 15 when roy produced this song. I liked the sounds, the beat, the music. But never really listened to the words like so many kids in my youth. I just recently reacquainted myself with the song and how the tears flowed. I am now a single man with nothing but memories, some pleasant, some not so. I really don't wish to back and do it all again, because I would probably do it the same way. But I am just so lonesome now,.
    2 replies
  • f
    + 18
    Flanman 2015-03-25 19:39:09
    Heard this song in my teenage years, though it was promoted as country. The lyrics are some of the best ever produced. I've had and have friends who've lived their lives this way, and are now in their 60's as I am. No wife, little family, no children or grandchildren. Such a somber way of recollecting a life that at one time seemed joyous, and unending.
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  • s
    + 16
    so far away91 2014-12-28 07:58:17
    This song does realy something to me, when I was listen to this at the age of 21, I did not care all about, but now a days I started to take a look this lyrics and I feel nothing but regret what am I left behind, It seems to me a verse which can be realize with eternal feeling which I've been through, however, Reminded me some awfull mistake I've done in my life, thasts a correct decline as well.
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  • U
    + 10
    Unregistered 2012-07-18 09:47:22
    I like this songs it bring back my mermory when I was young as a teenager, my tears were drop because I feel so muchlonely when imrember this when I was in high school. I'll nver forget this song so sweet, and swing like lullaby. My best friends, and I want to rexcall our happiest moment so memorable and I remeber my parents who love also this song. Everytime I listen and play this song, in feel lonely and teary eys. Thanks for the songwriter, and musician who dedicate to us specially to the lovers.
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  • U
    + 6
    Unregistered 2015-04-22 17:44:37
    Best descriptive and meaningful lyrics ever. Read many of the comments and I'm glad to say I have a family and children. My daughters just loved the song when I shared it with them. At their young ages, they really appreciated it and I'm glad. Hopefully it will encourage them to plan better and have more meaningful lives. But still, tears come to my eyes as I listen to the words even though I'm surrounded with love. We all think we should've and could've and would've. But as someone said above, we'd probably repeat the same experience.
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  • U
    + 5
    Unregistered 2020-01-02 14:26:22
    I found this song even sadder once I came to the conclusion that the person in it was contemplating suicide. He says feels “old before my time”, so it’s unlikely he’s dying of old age. He then says “only I am left on stage to END this play”.
    I realize it’s probably only me projecting my own life (and almost death) into the lyrics, but it’s always sobering to hear this song and contemplate my life’s story.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 5
    Unregistered 2018-08-31 22:41:27
    I am 77 years old and have been listening to this song since it came out. This song could have been written as my life story. I am an old Soldier and in my youth I lived exactly as this song described. It's haunting that something could tell my life story in so few words. I cannot hear this song or even read the lyrics without breaking down because I am so ashamed. Roy's voice is so right for these lyrics, it adds another layer of melancholy and sadness.
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  • U
    + 5
    Unregistered 2016-02-23 21:29:39
    As we age… Oh, how much truth there is in these lyrics! Changes in our lives, our health, our relationships, and much more.
    We learn about ourselves when we find that fulcrum point in our lives and take time to reflect, appreciate what we have had, our productivity, the acceptance of our mistakes that have helped us grow, our health, or accomplishments, our relationships. We need not have regrets! We need to own our gratitude.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 5
    Unregistered 2016-01-02 01:23:57
    As a former nightclub singer I am attempting to resurrect my career, I am in my sixties, and in my search for musical material, I've chosen this song. Shirley Bassey once said you can't allow yourself to shed outer tears to your audience when conveying a song, because those listening must be moved to that for you, however I suppose I shall have to learn to cry inwardly during any performance of this song because the tears can never ever really be very far away. Frank Charles Dodson.
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  • U
    + 5
    Unregistered 2012-03-06 00:48:21
    I never thought that the time would come for me to regret my wasteful way of living without seriously planning for my old age. I first heard this song when I was 18 & was carefree. Now, that I am 60 I started to realize the limitations of what I can do. I played this song for an hour and I cried & cried. I wish I could go back in time to change my life.
    1 reply
  • U
    + 4
    Unregistered 2018-11-16 18:43:57
    Now that Roy has passed, and viewing the video of him playing to his peer group, watching their faces and the truth in the song, made an impact on my life, as I'm sure it has for many. We can never go back and this adds to the reality of life and its memories.
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  • U
    + 4
    Unregistered 2016-07-07 01:31:46
    This is a song that has really grown on me over the years. When I first heard it, I was in high school, and I generally liked the song for its composition and instrumentation. In my 30s, it began to feel like a cautionary tale to live life with integrity and in the moment. Now that I am closing in on 60, I am blown away that Roy had the guts to write this song at all. It is so raw, honest, and revealing that it feels like we've been invited to listen to his confession. Truly one of Roy Clark's best.
    Add your reply
  • l
    + 4
    Linda Goldie Grammatico 2016-02-11 21:38:32
    I was in my 20's when Roy recorded this song and am now in my 70's. I loved this song back then, and still do. The lyrics are something that speak to you, make you think. I would do several things different if I could but I try not to dwell on the mistakes because I did learn from them. Thanks Roy for a beautiful, reflective song whose message never gets old.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 4
    Unregistered 2012-09-06 21:19:34
    The beauty part of this sad song is it is never to late while we are alive to begin a new life in jesus. Even the thief on the cross was honest about his past and said he deserved what he got, asked jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Because of his repentant heart the thief was forgiven and saved. Even if you have wasted your life untill now there is still hope!
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered 2012-02-28 16:46:07
    I wasted my youth on things that meant nothing. (i teased at life as if it were a foolish game) it was all about me. (i ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out) there is so much more to life than that. (so many songs in me that will never be sung) don't get me wrong, life is great, I just wish I had not wasted the years of my youth on meanless thing. Listen; the greatest things are free. Look around you. I can't change the pass, but I can direct the future. The question now, "what am i leaving behind"
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered 2012-01-31 22:40:25
    It reminds of a man who didn't plan his future and thought everything was going his way and then things start to catch up with him. Roy clark did this classic in 1969 & I was around 13 when he did this song & was a hit in july, 1969. Now I'm 56 years old and some things do catch up with you & make you pay when you were a young man trying to run your universe.
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  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered 2012-01-21 15:49:24
    I actually got the opportunity to see roy clark perform at the ip casino & spa resort in biloxi, ms and when he performed this song, it reminded me so much of the life I was wanting and hoping to live compared to the life I am living now. I may have done some things in my life that I am now regretting but those are things from my past I cannot change anymore. This song really resembles the life I could have had versus the life I am living now. This song really means a lot.
    To me in many ways. I was only still a youngster when roy clark came out with this song and I also remember him and buck owens from hee haw.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered 2021-03-22 11:07:32
    Sometimes in my youth and beyond, I wished time could have stood still to continue singing the songs waiting to be sung. Sometimes our hearts will stop beating when we’ve known love but lost it, that’s the time when we’re stuck in sadness at the back of our minds. It could have better when together we call the curtain down and tears of joy to everlasting love.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered 2015-09-27 08:52:03
    I heard this song while listening to Coast To Coast AM with George Noory. It gripped my heart so like it was written for me. I have such painful memories of my youth. I was such a mixed up kid and I ran through life trying to find meaning and purpose in all the wrong places. Always looking for love I now realize we need to love ourselves before others can love us. It is my hope that I will have learned my lessons in this life that if there is another it may be a more positive experience.
    Add your reply
  • t
    + 2
    tonyspinner 2015-07-14 10:39:48
    If you don't let people into your life. This fate awaits you to my cyber friend. That means lending an ear and your ending a wallet. Saying I'm sorry and saying I'm wrong. The Bible says it best. Do on to others, as you would have others do onto you. This world sucks, but we don't have to.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered 2015-05-14 03:10:32
    I was a young USAF captian flying in Vietnam with 2 children when this song came out. None of us thought about life beyond the that day. Now I am in my '70s and wonder where did the time go. So, thanks Roy for this song that brings back memories; some very bad, but most very, very good.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 1
    Unregistered 2020-09-21 15:55:17
    This song was written originally by Charles Aznavour but Roy Clark has certainly added the sentimentality and tempo needed to really make us listen and appreciate the reality of what most of us who listen to it, now realize in our later years how foolish, light headed and selfish we were in our youth. I am now 78 and like the majority of the previous posts, I too would like to be able to apologize and try to make amends for my actions but all I can do is try to live the rest of my life being more thoughtful and try to help as many people I can. Thank you Roy for this great song.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 1
    Unregistered 2020-07-06 05:14:36
    This song doesn't sadden me. Someone's shallow and horrible when they're young. Then they get old and can't get away with their behaviour anymore. Although they would if they could. A leopard doesn't change its spots. This person feels sorry for themselves and wants us to believe they have suddenly become different. It's BS !
    Add your reply
  • U
    0
    Unregistered 2023-04-22 06:48:16
    I was 8 I remembermy mother lovin ths song I t brought back memories.of.mickey mantle in my 60s now I think we all have debts to pay from when we young but reflecting now many of the versesin this song are true and its a sad song but if you did the things you needed to do when you were young you listen to this song with great satisfaction because even if you have.lived your best life you're still gonna leave cards on the table.this song gives a chance to reflect on those cards
    Add your reply
  • U
    0
    Unregistered 2022-11-11 17:02:57
    I was young when this song came about. I just liked the tune and did not care much about the words. Now it is different . While the tune is beautiful and nostalgic, the words are miningfull and an aged person can understand very well.
    Time is passing and I shall pass away, but the song will stay and live in peoples’s hearts, especially the aged.
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    • U
      + 19
      Unregistered
      This song rings so true for most of us. We kind of sprinted through our youth without a thought for... Read more →
    • U
      + 19
      Unregistered
      I was 15 when roy produced this song. I liked the sounds, the beat, the music. But never really... Read more →
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    ROY CLARK, YESTERDAY, WHEN I WAS YOUNG

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    [Intro][Verse][Pre-Chorus][Chorus][Hook][Bridge][Outro]