advice to the young

you ask for gifts that last longer than gold
not knowing how the clouds assemble fast
this is the way the story's always told

we seem so formal stiff and even cold
our hearts are given to the vanished past
you ask for gifts that last longer than gold

what you expect are souls ardent and bold
whose urgencies and wishes have to last
this is the way the story's always told

but those who have bad cards just have to fold
the noble outcome cannot be forecast
you ask for gifts that last longer than gold

it does no good to scream rebuke and scold
nor nail your tattered colours to the mast
this is the way the story's always told

only the wary live to become old
those who are foolish cannot take the blast
you ask for gifts that last longer than gold
this is the way the story's always told