| A | G | D | A | |
| The days grow | longer | for smaller | prizes |
| A | G | D | A | |
| I feel a stran | ger to | all surprise | s |
| Bm | E | A | |
| You can have | them I don't | want them |
| C#m ?? D |
| I wear a different kind of garment |
| F#m | E | |
| 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 about the beggar he remembers |
| I put a penny down for payment |
| In my rehearsals for retirement |
| D | A | |
| If I'd have known the end would | end in laughter |
| F#m | |
| I'd tell my daughter |
| E | |
| 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 that killed a country |
| And turned a strong man into a baby |
| Now (out ?) comes the rabble, they are welcome |
| I wait in anger and amusement |
| In my rehearsal for retirement |
| If I'd have known the end would end in laughter |
| I'd tell my daughter |
| It doesn't matter |
| Farewell my own true love, farewell my fancy |
| Are you still with me love, though you failed me |
| But one last gesture for your pleasure |
| I'll paint your memory on the monument |
| In my rehearsals for retirement |