When I Was A Child - Janis Ian

When I was a child

The days whispered by

In a half-seen memory of an angel’s flight

People used to say

You’ll be old before your age

My bitter laughter would ring out at them

Once I was a child on the outside

Now I am a child on the inside

Sometimes I cry

I used to be a child

Sitting by a stream

The night breeze shone on me

I swore to never leave

Once there was a boy

A breeze flew past

Through our laughter

Now there’s no time

For sitting by a stream

I’ve got other things on my mind

Now there is no boy

I’ve left him in the past

Along with my love

When I was a child

The days whispered by

In a half-seen memory of an angel’s flight

People used to say

You’ll be old before your age

My bitter laughter would ring out at them

Once I was a child in the daytime

Now I am a child of the nighttime

Sometimes I cry

I used to be a child