Yesterday when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame
The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
I always built alas on weak and shifting sand
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day
And only now I see how the years ran away
Yesterday when I was young
So many drinking songs were waiting to be sung
So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see
I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me and nothing else at all
Yesterday the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond
The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly quickly died
The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play
There are so many songs in me that won’t be sung
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
The time has come for me to pay for
Yesterday when I was young…
My eldest daughter, 10 years old, loves this song very much! And she loves Dame Shirley Bassey just as I do! Thank you Dame Shirley for taking care of yourself so that you live a long life that allows every new generation to see what a powerful legend is. You also serve as a reminder to all generations alive that being famous and successful does not lead to drug overdose and death. I believe your life is not simple and easy but you would choose to have a strong will and take care of yourself to live positively. You are a legend who continues to capture the hearts of your audience from all ages. WE LOVE YOU DAME SHIRLEY! God bless you.