(Richard Leigh/Robert Byrne)

He raced that engine down the track
'Round the tree on Christmas day
I was so amazed my dad would play with trains
I saw a sparkle in his eye, then I heard him say,
Come on son let's play, I was young once, too

He washed that Buick faithfully, Lord, he kept her clean
I thought that machine meant more to him than me
On the day I turned sixteen he threw me the keys
Said I was young once, too, now she belongs to you

He was such a young man then, I'm older than that now
I hope I measure up to him, when the circle comes around

I saw him in the attic sittin' cross legged on the floor
With some old photographs, he pointed and laughed
He said, that's me in that picture,
I said, no son, that's your dad
I was young once, too, and looked a lot like you

I was young once, too, I was young once, too

(Spoken)
Merry Christmas son, I wish your grandpa were here

He was young once, too,
And looked like me and you...