To an Air of Johann Strauss

Since all of us are young to-night,

The lot of us will run to-night,

And dance and have some fun to-night,

By the light of the Moon.

Our youth will soon be past, my love,

October frost will blast, my love,

The Winter follows fast, my love,

And the Rose is for June.

So softly down the stair, hurrah,

And out into the Square, hurrah,

Into the coloured Fair, hurrah,

Where the merry-round whirls.

To-morrow, there’ll be work, alas,

For students have exams to pass,

Till morning, we are lad and lass,

We are boys, you are girls.

Until to-morrow, listen, you,

Your Mother won’t be missing you,

And, sweet, I shall be kissing you,

While our feet fly fast;

Away, away, away, my love,

Don’t wait till you are gray, my love,

For April cannot stay, my love,

Nor the violet last.

John Masefield