Old Mates

I met a friend the other day
A mate from the olden times
Before the shadow of age had dimmed
Our shimmer of youth will shine
He looked at me and I looked at him
And we thought what the years can do
The miles in between have been long and hard
For both of that was true
I remember him now as I knew him then
It's funny how fancy strains
And I thought of the girls and the cups he'd won
Back in his dancing days
He remembered me as he knew me best
In places where bright lights shine
Where hearts were light and the parties were bright
And the key to them both was wine
Instrumental
Then both of us looked out across the road
As we did in the olden days
And we said to each other for old times sake
To heck what the doctor says
We dressed at the bar as we used to do
Drank brandy and beer at will
And we chatted the bar maids and blokes all around
And joined in the evening swill
We looked at each other, then at the drinks
And then with a ruefull smile
We drank to the good old days that were
And the hell with the last long mile
We parted outside the old swinging doors
Of the place that was once our shrine
Then he shuffled away on his walking stick
And I hobbled away on mine