My time's growing old as I lose year by year
A stale taste is clinging to friends, love and beer
I feel my life dwindling, days running away
I may yet be young, but I'm turning to grey

I will but find comfort within a sweet dream
Where down by a willow's roots springs a clear stream
The waters run silvern, like moonlight so free
And as they flow on, they start singing to me:

There runs a clear streamlet with water so cold
And those who will drink it will grow twice as old

This place to discover, my soul I would give:
No money will grant you with more time to live
But then as I get there, the spring's turned to ice
And it's deep in my heart that a singing will rise:

There runs a clear streamlet with water so cold
And those who will drink it will grow twice as old

"Pray how can I melt you, for all heavens' sake?"
"O give me your fire, my sleep it will wake
O give me your youth, so I'll prosper and thrive
O I'll give you power - come give me your life

Then runs a clear streamlet with water so cold
And if you will drink it, you'll grow twice as old"

Thus whispers the water, like kisses so sweet
Thus whistles the ice way way down neath my feet
And I give what I have till I've melted it down
'Til to crystal cold water the ice it is flown

There runs a clear streamlet with water so cold
And those who will drink it will grow twice as old

With lips that are shaking, all strength drained away
I drink of the water as much as I may
Then I gaze down the water, t'is the last thing I can
And I spy my reflection - I spy an old man

There runs a clear streamlet with water so cold
And those who will drink it will grow twice as old

Then grateful the water will grow grow and grow
And leave me behind full of sorrow and woe
Now I'm all alone, all my hopes were in vain:
For aging brings wisdom, but age will bring pain

There runs a clear streamlet with water so cold
And those who will drink it will be twice as old

Now fed by those fools as I always will be
A river is running, and running so free
To drink of your youth and your heart and your life
'Til all the world dies but the waters survive

There runs a broad stream, one that nothing will old
And where it is flowing, the world will grow cold
There runs a broad stream, one that no one can hold
And where it is going, the world will grow old