More years ago than I care to relate a local Irish singer used to perform Charles Kingsley's Poem "Young and Old". I can only remember parts of the tune, and can't now put them together in a way that feels right.

I have a notion that this singer (who must now be dead) mentioned it as being set to a tune by Brendon Behan. Having a little knowledge of one and, some acquaintance with the other, this could mean the tune was: a) Borrowed/stolen by one or other of them   b) Largely made up on the spot by either of them   c) Behan never sang it and the story was a flight of Guinness fuelled bravado. d) Behan did actually devise a tune for the poem and I can't find it published anywhere.


Does anyone know of any settings for this poem?



Young and Old
When all the world is young, lad,
And all the trees are green;
And every goose a swan, lad,
And every lass a queen;
Then hey for boot and horse, lad,
And round the world away;
Young blood must have its course, lad,
And every dog his day.


When all the world is old, lad,
And all the trees are brown;
And all the sport is stale, lad,
And all the wheels run down;
Creep home, and take you place there,
The spent and maimed among:
God grant you find one face there,
You loved when all was young.


Bill