refrain:

You, were my hope

Your hope was mine

Candles are low

For the last time

I don't want to look; when I do it saddens me

It saddens me so when I recall their first light

I don't want to turn back to then, for then I'll see

How quickly they lengthen in line and they multiply



(refrain)





Once I made a big cake for my father so long ago

For his 50th birthday one year, wouldn't you know

Like Cassandra, I read him a chilling prophecy

I read him a poem, it was 'Candles' and now I grieve



spoken:

[Days of our future stand before us

Like a row of little lighted candles

Golden, warm and lively little candles

The days gone by remain behind us

A mournful line of burnt-out candles

The nearest ones are still smoking

Cold candles, melted, and bent]

(from "Candles" by Cavafy)



I don't want to look when I do it saddens me

It saddens me so when I recall their first light

I don't want to turn back to then, for then I'll see

How quickly they lengthen in line, and they multiply.



(refrain)