Old Friends

Christmas came and Christmas went,

And bare a cup of cheer it lent,

Save for the singers every year,

Who save it with those Carols dear,

And children gathered 'neath the tree,

Brings home the message clear to me,

The little ones who matter most,

'Tis those I raise my glass to toast,

And with a tear dropped for the past,

My friends whose lives did never last,

To greet me at this solemn time,

Remember how their smiles did shine,

Alone and wishing I could pass,

To join them for one last repast,

It's Merry Christmas out of key,

And who will sing this song for me.