It's the spring of your time
And the time has come
The open road receives you
Won't you roll to a stop
Won't you gaze at the drop
And the awful miles before you?
Take care where you step
Don't you know that it stifled
and life that you love and straddle
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the summer you'll find
That you rolled us aside
A tangled man-made thicket
Take care you don't lean
With your toes in a string
That sweeps away the river
Survey all you see
'Cause there's still time to leave
The briar and bramble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the fall of your time
You're astounded to find
So much is now behind you
With kids of your own
You'll be scared for you know
Just what the dark can do
Tell them what I told you
In days of your youth
Watch well with whom you travel
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the winter of life
You'll be asked for your light
Lay down, all forts surrender
And all that is you
That is precious and true
Is an awful price you'll tender
And I will look on
But I long for ya, son
Don't tarry there, don't amble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle