Rehearsals For Retirement Lyrics - Phil Ochs

The days grow longer for smaller prizes 

I feel a stranger to all surprises 

You can have them I don't want them 

I wear a different kind of garment 

In my rehearsals for retirement 

The lights are cold again they dance below me 

I turn to old friends they do not know me 

All but the beggar he remembers 

I put a penny down for payment 

In my rehearsals for retirement 

Had I known the end would end in laughter 

I tell my daughter it doesn't matter 

The stage is tainted with empty voices 

The ladies painted they have no choices 

I take my colors from the stable 

They lie in tatters by the tournament 

In my rehearsals for retirement 

Where are the armies who killed a country 

And turned a strong man into a baby 

No comes the rabble they are welcome 

I wait in anger and amusement 

In my rehearsals for retirement 

Had I known the end would end in laughter 

Still I tell my daughter that it doesn't matter 

Farewell my own true love, farewell my fancy 

Are you still owing me love, though you failed me 

But one last gesture for her pleasure 

I'll paint your memory on the monument 

In my rehearsals for retirement