Poetry Wednesday: When October Goes

Late in his life, Johnny Mercer grew close to Barry Manilow — and asked his widow to give Manilow his unfinished lyrics. Manilow set at least one to music. The result is one of my favorite songs, When October Goes. A number of people have recorded the song, but Manilow's version seems the most haunted.

When October Goes

And when October goes 
The snow begins to fly  
Above the smokey roofs  
I watch the planes go by
The children running home  
Beneath a twilight sky  
Oh, for the fun of them 
When I was one of them
 
And when October goes  
The same old dream appears  
And you are in my arms  
To share the happy years
I turn my head away  
To hide the helpless tears 
Oh, how I hate  
To see October go
 
And when October goes  
The same old dream appears  
And you are in my arms  
To share the happy years
I turn my head away  
To hide the helpless tears  
Oh, how I hate  
To see October go
 
I should be over it now 
I know 
It doesn't matter much  
How old I grow —
I hate to see October go...

Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Music by Barry Manilow