When I Was A Child

Words and Music by Janis Ian

When I was a child
the days whispered by
in a half-seen memory of an angel’s flight
People used to say –
You’ll be old before your age
My bitter laughter would ring out at them

Once I was a child on the outside
Now I am a child on the inside
Sometimes I cry
I used to be a child

Sitting by a stream,
the night breeze shone on me
I swore to never leave
Once there was a boy
A breeze flew past
through our laughter

Now there’s no time
for sitting by a stream
I’ve got other things on my mind
Now there is no boy
I’ve left him in the past
along with my love

When I was a child
the days whispered by
in a half-seen memory of an angel’s flight
People used to say –
You’ll be old before your age
My bitter laughter would ring out at them

Once I was a child in the daytime
Now I am a child of the nighttime
Sometimes I cry
I used to be a child

© Taosongs Two. All rights reserved; international copyright secured.

Appears on the following albums:

  • The Secret Life Of J. Eddy Fink