I cannot tell you how it was, br But this I know: it came to pass br Upon a bright and sunny day br When May was young; ah, pleasant May! br As yet the poppies were not born br Between the blades of tender corn; br The last egg had not hatched as yet, br Nor any bird foregone its mate. br br I cannot tell you what it was, br But this I know: it did but pass. br It passed away with sunny May, br Like all sweet things it passed away, br And left me old, and cold, and gray.