When I Was One and Twenty
By E.A. Housman
Paraphrase by Donna McKanders
When I was twenty one years young
I listened to the wisdom of an older one
“Shower them with gifts,
Give them chocolate and flowers,
But never give your heart
For you will relinquish your powers.”
But I was twenty one, I already knew everything
What kind of wisdom could this old man bring?
When I was twenty one
I heard the old man say.
“If you give your heart away
There’s a price you must pay.
Sighs, sorrows and regret,
this act will cost you.”
Now I’m twenty two, and
All he said is true, so true.
By E.A. Housman
Paraphrase by Donna McKanders
When I was twenty one years young
I listened to the wisdom of an older one
“Shower them with gifts,
Give them chocolate and flowers,
But never give your heart
For you will relinquish your powers.”
But I was twenty one, I already knew everything
What kind of wisdom could this old man bring?
When I was twenty one
I heard the old man say.
“If you give your heart away
There’s a price you must pay.
Sighs, sorrows and regret,
this act will cost you.”
Now I’m twenty two, and
All he said is true, so true.
