Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And cheerful at the falling of a star

And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captives on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from whence we came
And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game

Then the child grew ten times 'round the seasons
Skated over ten clear, frozen streams
Words like 'when you're older' must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams

And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captives on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from whence we came
And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game

Sixteen Springs and sixteen Summers gone now
Cartwheels lost to car wheels through the town
And you tell him "Take your time" it won't be long now
Till you drag you feet to slow the circles down

So the boy who dreamed tomorrow now is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through.

And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captives on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from whence we came
And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game
And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game