NOW  I'M  SIXTY-FOUR

Time signature:  3/4  (waltz)
Tempo: moderate
Composer:  unknown
​Popularized by Harry Hibbs & others
UNDER CONSTRUCTION:  Notation and youTube keys need to be checked.
​
Accordion Notation
Beats per bar =  3
Beat symbol  =  Dot ( . ) or equivalent
Either row (high) =  Buttons  5 - 9*
Inner row (low)   =   Buttons  2 - 5*, plus o3*

Verse 1 (of 3)

.5  |  :5   .4    |  :5   .5*  |  :4   .3*  |  :3   "3  "3*  |  :4  .4   |  .3* .3  .o3*  |  .:2~ | ~:
 I      pon-dered  on  those  days gone   by     as    I        sat  be -  side__     the       mill____,

  .3   |  :3     .2  |  :3   .3*  |  .4  :5  |  :5*  "5* "5*  |  :5    .4  |  :3*    .3  |  .:3*~ | ~: 
And    gazed  up  -  on  the      set-ing    sun    as    it      sank  be - neath  the      hill____;

.5  |   :5    .4  |  :5  .5*  |  :4   .3*  |   :3     "3  "3*  |  :4  .4  | .3*  .3  .o3*  |  .:2~ | ~: 
  I    gazed  on      it  once  more, me    boys, 'twas the     ver - y     sun__     I'd        seen___,

 .3  |  :3   .2  |   :3     .3*  |  .4  :5  |  :5*  .5*  |  .5 .4      .3  |   :4    .3* | .:3~ | ~.  .r
It's    just  the   same  now      as   it    was  when   we___  were   sweet  six -  teen___.

​
Refrain:

 .5  |  :5  .4  |  :5   .5*  |  :4      .3*  |  :3   "3 "3*  |  :4   .4  |  .3* .3  .o3*  |  .:2~ | ~: 
Oh,   how  I     long  for    those  bright  days  to___     come  a -  gain__  once     more___,

 .3   |  :3   .2  |  :3    .3*  |  .4  :5  |  :5*  .5*  |  .5 .4   .3  |  :4  .3*  |  .:3~ | ~:  
But    come  a  - gain  they     nev-er    will   for     now__  I'm      six-ty   -   four____.


Embedded youTube VIDEOS
20 Videos in various keys:  
Key:  G

Singer:  Harry Hibbs

​Posted by:  oldirishladdie
Key:  G

Group:  Figgy Duff

​Posted by:  ​roothogordie

A great instrumental performance.  Not sure, but I think it was Art Stoyles on the accordion?
Key:  F

Group:  The Wild Colonial Boys

​Posted by:  The Wild Colonial Boys
Key:  G

Accordionist:  Wayne ?

​Posted by:  wayne1766

Music starts at time 0:23 
Key:  G
​​
​Group:  Ryan's Fancy

Posted by:  quickaccent2006
Key:  G

Accordionist:  Mary ?

​Guitarist:  ?

Posted by:  labradornl

Beautifully played by both.
Key:  D

Group:   Connemara

Posted by:  gdgest
​
Key:  A  from time 0 to 2:04
         Bb from 2:05 to END

Singer:  Declan Nerney

Posted by:  nerneyirish123
Key:   C

Singer:  Allison Crowe

​Posted by:  Allison Crowe
Key:  C

Singer:  Padraig Grimes

Posted by:  Padraig Grimes
Key:  G

Singer:  Corey Hepditch & Friends

​Posted by:  codo27

​
Key:  F

Singer:   Mike Pention

Posted by:  Diane Davis

Performance at the Etheridge's Point Seaside Festival, Joe Batt's Arm, Fogo Island, 2016.

​Mike is playing in D with capo at 3rd fret, to sound in key of F.
Key:  D

Accordionists:  Gary Pomroy

​Guitar/Vocals:  Richard Woodrow

Posted by:  Richard Woodrow
Key:  D

Singer:  Mike ?

​Posted by:  mike1409040
Key:  D

Performers: Conrans & Friends

​Posted by:  theconrans

​
Key:  D

Group:  Codskiff
Accordionist:  Charlie Matthews
Vocals:  Wes Bath and Carl Sheppard

Posted by:  codskiff04

​Outport Dinner theater, La Scie, NL, 2011
Key:  C

Performers:  Allison Crowe  & Band

​Posted by:  Allison Crowe

​
Key:  C

Performer:  Charlene Sudbrink

Posted by:  Town of Carbonear
Key:  D

Performer:  Dale Clements

​Posted by:  Dale Clements
Key:  D

Group:  Wonderful Grand Band

​Posted by:  ShinyGlow
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:

Verse 1



Refrain


Verse 2



​


​Verse 3






verse 4



​

​I pondered on those days gone by as I sat beside the mill,
And gazed upon the setting sun as it sank beneath the hill;
I gazed on it once more, me boys, 'twas the very sun I'd seen,
It's just the same now as it was when we were sweet sixteen.

Oh, how I long for those bright days to come again once more,
But come again they never will for now I'm sixty-four.

I went a little further on, as up the hill I walked,
I sat down on that very spot where we often sat and talked;
We talked about those happy days, so blissful and serene,
We talked about those happy days, when we were sweet sixteen.

Refrain

The little fish swim in the brook and wander down below,
They swim on still, and ever will, as they did long, long ago;
The little meadow by the brook is just as fresh and green,
It's just the same now as it was when we were sweet sixteen.

Refrain

Oh, the past is past and she is gone, on earth we'll meet no more,
But we will meet in heaven above on that eternal shore;
And when we meet we'll part no more, we both will reign supreme,
No more to sing of days gone by when we were sweet sixteen.

Refrain x 2
Background Links:
Dr. Neil Rosenberg of MUN's Department of Folklore wrote that "Now I'm Sixty-Four,also known as When we Were Sweet Sixteen, is in the style of 'parlour songs' - popular hits from the late 19th or early 20th century.  However, its origin is unkown."   For the remainder of Dr. Rosenberg's background info on this song, check Volume 1 of Vinland Music's Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I highly recommend Vinland's excellent songbook series, both for the music (for piano, guitar, etc.) and for the background commentary.  Click HERE to purchase  these song/music books directly from Vinland.  In my view, they are well worth the cost.