Grand-dad , they say you're old and frail,
Your stiffened legs begin to fail:
Your staff, no more my pony now,
Supports your body bending low,
While back to wall you lean so sad,
I'm vex'd to see you, Dad.

You used to smile and stroke my head,
And tell me how good children did;
But now, I wot not how it be,
You take me seldom on your knee,
Yet ne'ertheless I am right glad,
To sit beside you, Dad.

How lank and thin your beard hangs down!
Scant are the white hairs on your crown:
How wan and hollow are your cheeks,
Your brow is crossed with many streaks;
But yet although his strength be fled,
I love my own old Dad.

The housewives round their potions brew,
And gossips come to ask for you;
And for your weal each neighbour cares;
And good men kneel and say their prayers,
And every body looks so sad,
When you are ailing, Dad.

You will not die and leave us then?
Rouse up and be our Dad again.
When you are quiet and laid in bed,
We'll doff our shoes and softly tread;
And when you wake we'll still be near,
To fill old Dad his cheer.

When through the house you change your stand,
I'll lead you kindly by the hand:
When dinner's set I'll with you bide,
And aye be serving by your side;
And when the weary fire burns blue,
I'll sit and talk with you.

I have a tale both long and good,
About a partlet and her brood,
And greedy cunning fox that stole
By dead of midnight through a hole,
Which slyly to the hen-roost led,—
You love a story, Dad?

And then I have a wondrous tale
Of men all clad in coats of mail,
With glittering swords,—you nod,—I think
Your heavy eyes begin to wink;—
Down on your bosom sinks your head:—
You do not hear me, Dad.

By the fireplace we sit each night,
With albums old and frayed,
I hold your hand, so cold and light,
As memories start to fade.
Your eyes, they wander, lost in time,
Where once they saw our love,
Now trapped within a maze so blind,
But still, I won’t give up.

Though the years have worn us down,
And your mind’s a distant shore,
I’ll hold on to the love we found,
Even if you remember no more.
I’ll be the keeper of our days,
In every photo, every song,
Though your mind may drift away,
My heart will keep you strong.

Your voice, a whisper, barely there,
Of times when you were my guide,
Now I’m the one who has to care,
Through every storm, every tide.
These hands, so weak, with every touch,
Try to turn back the years,
But how can love be held so much,
When faced with endless tears?

I see the man you used to be,
In every faded frame,
A pillar, rock, my sanctuary,
Before it all became a game.
With every jar I cannot twist,
Every step that brings me pain,
I fight against the cruel mist,
That tries to take you away again.

One day soon, I know we’ll part,
And I’ll have to let you go,
But I’ll carry you within my heart,
Where our love will always grow.
So here’s to us, my darling dear,
In every tear, in every sigh,
For though you fade, I’ll keep you near,
Our love will never die.