Now my songs shall grow br Sweeter, year by year, br Just because I know br You shall read them, dear, br br When your little hands, br And your little eyes, br Babyhood expands br Into grown-up wise. br br You will ask me then, br Reading what I write br Of my youth and then br Song of you took flight. br br Darling, I shall say --- br Just because I knew br In some future day br You would hold them true: br br br 'Father wrote these songs br When I was a child; br Now to me belongs br All his dreams exiled. br br 'Mine is all the joy, br Mine are all the tears br In the heart of boy br And the man of years?' br br br This, my little one, br Is what you will say, br When my songs are done, br And my hair is grey. br br But my songs I know, br Sweeter, year by year, br From my heart will flow br For your soul to hear --- br br When your little hands, br And your little eyes, br Babyhood expands br Into grown-up wise.