The Old Familiar Faces

Ihavehadplaymates,Ihavehadpanions,

Inmydaysofchildhood,inmyjoyfulschool-days;

All,allaregone,theoldfamiliarfaces.

Ihavebeenlaughing,Ihavebeencarousing,

Drinkinglate,sittinglate,withmybosomcronies;

All,allaregone,theoldfamiliarfaces.

IlovedaLoveonce,fairestamongwomen:

Closedareherdoorsonme,Imustnotseeher;

All,allaregone,theoldfamiliarfaces.

Ihaveafriend,akinderfriendhasnoman:

Likeaningrate,Ileftmyfriendabruptly;

Lefthim,tomuseontheoldfamiliarfaces.

Ghost-likeIpacedroundthehauntsofmychildhood,

EarthseemdadesertIwasboundtotraverse,

Seekingtofindtheoldfamiliarfaces.

Friendofmybosom,thoumorethanabrother,

Whywertnotthouborninmyfathersdwelling?

Somightwetalkoftheoldfamiliarfaces;

Howsometheyhavedied,andsometheyhaveleftme,

Andsomearetakenfromme;allaredeparted;

All,allaregone,theoldfamiliarfaces.