| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | The Old Song | | By Charles Kingsley (1819–1875) |
| | | WHEN all the world is young, lad, | |
| And all the trees are green; | |
| And every goose a swan, lad, | |
| And every lass a queen; | |
| Then hey for boot and horse, lad, | 5 |
| And round the world away! | |
| Young blood must have its course, lad, | |
| And every dog his day. | |
| |
| When all the world is old, lad, | |
| And all the trees are brown; | 10 |
| And all the sport is stale, lad, | |
| And all the wheels run down; | |
| Creep home, and take your place there | |
| The spent and maim’d among; | |
| God grant you find one face there | 15 |
| You loved when all was young! | | | | |
|
|
