[Verse 1]
When I was a young man courting the girls
I played me a waiting game
If a maid refused me with tossing curls
I'd let the old earth take a couple whirls
While I plied her with tears in place of pearls
And as time came around she came my way
As time came around she came

[Chorus]
But it's a long, long while from May to December
And the days grow short when you reach September
And I have lost one tooth and I walk a little lame
And I haven't got time for the waiting game
For the days turn to gold as they grow few
September, November
And these few golden days I'd spend with you
These golden days I'd spend with you

[Verse 2]
When you meet with a young man early in spring
They court you in song and rhyme
They woo you with words and a clover ring
But if you examine the goods they bring
They have little to offer but the songs they sing
And a plentiful waste of time and day
A plentiful waste of time
[Chorus]
And it's a long, long while from May 'til December
Will a clover ring last when you reach September?
I'm not quite equipped for the waiting game
But I have a little money and I have a little fame
And the days dwindle down to a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days I'd spend with you
These precious days I'd spend with you