Jerry Herman — Almost Young

I'm holding back the hands of time And though a fool might say I've passed my prime My heart has always clung to staying almost young A few grey hairs, A few gold teeth Can never hide the kid that's underneath The kid whose hopes are hung On staying almost young My walk is swift and sporty My disposition is evergreen Why say I'm over forty, I'm over seventeen I'll still have all the speed it takes When all the others have applied the brakes And when my knell has run I'll still be struttin' and kickin' Like some little chicken I'm almost young So if you think this spunky pup Is either boggin' down or slowin' up You'd better hold your tongue I'm feeling almost young [Instrumental] My bones are often racked up They always act up Each time it rains But my arthritis and my phlebitis Are simply growing pains So let them say I passed my peak That I'm a million years from hide-and-seek But when my dirge is sung I'll still be tough as a riddle and fit as a fiddle And struttin' and kickin' like some little chicken And almost... young