When I recall just how it felt When I went walking down by the lake My soul was free, my heart awake When I walked down into the town The mountain air was fresh and clear The sun was up behind the hill It felt so good to be alive On that morning in spring I want to sing this song for you I want to lift your spirits high And in my soul I want to feel The beauty of the days gone by The beauty of the days gone by It brings a longing to my soul To contemplate my own true self And keep me young as I grow old The beauty of the days gone by The music that we used to play So lift your glass and raise it high To the beauty of the days gone by I'll sing it from the mountain top Down to the valley down below Because my cup doth overflow With the beauty of the days gone by The mountain glen where we used to roam The gardens there by the railroad track Oh my memory it does not lie Of the beauty of the days gone by The beauty of the days gone by It brings a longing to my soul To contemplate my own true self And keep me young as I grow old And keep me young as I grow old And keep me young as I grow old And keep me young as I grow old