Those last few years of helpless pain

Those last few years of helpless pain,
Depression, sickness, sadness, blight:
Ah! Would I have them back again!

I could not such demand sustain
On my poor stock of love and light
Those last few years of helpless pain,

When what I had to do was plain,
And I lacked strength to do it right.
Ah! Would I have them back again

To love you better, though in vain,
And be with you with all my might!
Those last few years of helpless pain

Are now for me what must remain:
I did not your long love requite.
Ah! Would I have them back again,

I would that single chance regain
To bring you well to your good night.
Those last few years of helpless pain:
Ah! Would I have them back again!

---Nicholas Gordon