Yesterday a child came out to wander 
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the skies are full of thunder 
And tearful at the falling of a star.

Chorus:

And the seasons, they go round and round 
And the painted ponies go up and down. 
We're captives on the carousel of time.
We can't return, we can only look behind from where we came 
And go round and round and round in the circle game.

Now the child's grown ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like "when you're older" must appease her
And promises of someday make her dream.

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now 
Cartwheels turn to carwheels through the town
And they tell her "take your time, it won't be long now 
Before you drag your feet to slow the circle down."

Now the child of yesterday's grown twenty
Although some dreams are lost, some grandures coming true 
There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through.