No Time Like The Old Time

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Oliver Wendell Holmes, American Romantic poet, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 29, 1809, and died on October 7, 1894. He is considered a Fireside Poet, or part of a group of New England authors that wrote material very suitable to be read as entertainment to members of a family, often read aloud in front of a residential fireplace.

He also is a famous Boston Brahmin, or an elitist-philanthropist with great generosity. Holmes gave the Massachusetts State House the nickname The Hub of the Solar System which led to Boston being called The Hub.

THERE is no time like the old time, when you and I were young,
When the buds of April blossomed and the birds of springtime sung!
The garden's brightest glories by summer suns are nursed,
But O, the sweet, sweet violets, the flowers that opened first!

There is no place like the old place, where you and I were born,
Where we lifted first our eyelids on the splendors of the morn
From the milk-white breast that warmed us, from the clinging arms that bore,
Where the dear eyes glistened o'er us that will look on us no more!

There is no friend like the old friend, who has shared our morning days,
No greeting like his welcome, no homage like his praise;
Fame is the scentless sunflower, with gaudy crown of gold;
But Friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.

There is no love like the old love, that we courted in our pride;
Though our leaves are falling, falling, and we're fading side by side;
There are blossoms all around us, with colors of our dawn,
And we lie in borrowed sunshine when our day-star is withdrawn.

There are no times like the old times—they shall never be forgot!
There is no place like the old place—keep green the dear old spot!
There are no friends like our old friends—may Heaven prolong their lives!
There are no loves like our old loves—God bless our loving wives!

— Our Favorites, By Mrs. General O. C. Maxwell, p.80