When the World Was Young

It isn't by chance I happen to be the bell of the ball
 The toast of Paris
 Over the noise, the talk and smoke
 I'm good for a laugh, a drink or a joke
 I walk in a room, party or a ball
 "Come sit over here", somebody will call
 A drink for my friends, a drink for them all
 But how many times I stop and recall
 Ah, the apple trees, blossoms in the breeze
 That we walked among, lying in the hay
 Games we used to play while the rounds were sung
 Only yesterday when the world was young
 Wherever I go, they mention my name
 And that in itself is some sort of fame
 "Come by for a drink, we're having a game"
 Wherever I go, I'm so glad I came
 The talk is quite gay, the company's fine
 There's laughter and lights and glamor and wine
 And thousands of men, some who are mine
 But often my eyes see a different shine
 Ah, the apple trees, sunlit memories
 Where the hammock swung
 On our backs we lied, looking at the sky
 'Til the stars were strung
 Only yesterday when the world was young