This song was published in 1861 during a time when Foster's income had dropped off considerably. In fact, he was broke when he wrote this song. He had just received a rejection for a song he had written. It was during this time of discouragement that he wrote this song.
Stephen Foster's wife had left him. He was broke. His alcoholism had cost him his contract with his publisher. It was at this time that he wrote this song, just a few years before his death. The words to this song strike at the heart of everyone who has reached those so called "golden years". But only those whose faith gives them a vision of the next life are able to face the reality of aging and accept it. Background music is in the key of D
 Golf Shirt with harmonica logo |
5 -4 4 4 4 5 6 6 -6 7 6 I re-mem-ber the days of our youth and love, -5 5 -4 -6 -6 6 -5 5 When we sat 'neath the green oak tree; 5 -4 4 4 5 6 6 -6 7 6 When thy smiles were bright as the skies a-bove, -5 5 -4 -6 6 6 -5 -4 4 And thy voice made mu-sic un-to me. chorus 5 -5 6 7 7 -7 -7 -6 -7 7 6 Nev-er more will come those hap-py, hap-py hours, -5 5 -4 -6 6 -5 5 Whiled a-way in life's young dawn; 5 -5 6 7 7 -7 -7 -6 -7 7 6 Nev-er more we'll roam thro' pleas-ures' sun-ny bow'rs, -5 5 -4 -6 6 6 -5 -4 4 For our bright, bright sum-mer days are gone.
verse 2
I remember the flow'rs that we cull'd by day,
And the vows that we made by night;
I remember the brook where we loved to stray
In the bygone days of our delight.
verse 3
How we joyed when we met,and griev'd to part,
How we sighed when the night came on;
How I loved for thee in my dreaming heart,
Till the first fair coming of the dawn.
