I Will Love You Forever

Was it just yesterday
that we strolled on the sand?
With the waves round our feet
and your hand in my hand
I was sixteen years old
but I felt like a man
As we talked of our plans for tomorrows

We stood by the shore,
looking far out to sea
The distant horizon
meant nothing to me;
Your closeness was all that
my mind could conceive
And I swore it would be so forever

Our bones are now stiffer
than when we were young
My voice – so I’m told –
sounds as old as my songs
And although I’m contented,
I can’t help but long
For the days when our love was beginning

Our life in this world is
now all but complete
And I wonder if heaven
could e’er be this sweet
I’ve known heaven on earth,
since the day we did meet
For I fell in love with an angel

And now, as you sit with
a tear in your eye
I believe it’s but rarely;
I’ve caused you to cry
Since that day in the church
when I took you for mine
And we both vowed before God forever

Now as I gently
wipe your tears away
And kiss your sweet lips,
as I did on that day
I’ll repeat once again,
that old vow if I may;
That my love; I will love you forever.