Seven winter's past and gone 
I once was young and I once was strong 
Shall I be 
I'll be 
I'll be 
Six fine times I've felt my knees 
Buckle to your sweet release 
Shall I be 
I'll be 
I'll be 
Five times tried to conjure you 
A letter or a note or clue 
Shall I be 
I'll be 
I'll be 
And I'm going to tell everybody 
I'm know that I'm glad to see you 
And I'm going to tell everybody 
I'm know that I'm glad to see you 
Even though you're comin' home 
In a box of cedar 
For four years you courted I 
Your raven hair, your brittle bride 
Shall I be 
I'll be 
I'll be 
Three more times I tried to find - a 
Lover to match your sweet kind 
Shall I be 
I'll be 
I'll be 
And I'm going to tell everybody 
I'm know that I'm glad to see you 
And I'm going to tell everybody 
I'm know that I'm glad to see you 
Even though you're come and gone 
In a box of cedar 
[sing-song] 
What am I to fill these rooms 
I make it want the drone of doom
Shall I be 
I'll be 
I'll be 
Southern winter's past and gone 
I once was young and I once was strong 
Shall I be 
I'll be 
I'll be