Johnny Mercer
When the World Was Young
They call me coquette, and mademoiselle
And I must admit I like it quite well
It's something to be the darling of all;
Le grande femme fatale, the belle of the ball
There's nothing as gay as life in Paris
There's no other person, I'd rather be
I love what I do, I love what I see
But where is the schoolgirl that used to be me
Ah, the apple trees
Where at garden teas
Jack-o-lanterns swung:
Fashions of the day
Vests of applique
Dresses of shantung
Only yesterday
When The World Was Young
While sitting around we often recall
The laugh of the year ' the night of them all
The blonds who was so attractive that year
Some opening night that made us all cheer;
Remember that time we all got so tight
And Jacques and Antoine got into a fight
The gendarmes who came, passed out like a light
I laugh with the rest ' it's all very bright
Ah, the apple trees
Sunlight memories
Where the hammock swung
On our backs we'd lie;
Looking at the shy
'Til the stars were strung
Only last July
When the World Was Young
You'll see me in Cape D'Antibes , or in Spain
I follow the sun by boat or by plane
It's any old millionaire in a storm
For I've got my mink to keep my heart warm:
And sometimes I drink too much with the crowd
And, sometimes I talk a little too loud
My head may be aching, but it's unbowed
And sometimes I see it all through the cloud
Ah, the apple trees
And the hive of bees
Where we once got stung
Summers at Bordeau:
Rowing at bateau
Where the willow hung
Just a dream ago
When the World Was Young