A rose will bloom....
It then will fade:
So does a youth,
So does the fairest maid.

The Song from the 1968 Romeo & Juliet

Lyrics

What is a Youth

Music by Nino Rota, words by Eugene Walter

What is a youth? Impetuous fire.
What is a maid? Ice and desire.
The world wags on,
A rose will bloom....
It then will fade:
So does a youth,
So does the fairest maid.

Comes a time when one sweet smile
has its season for a while....
Then love's in love with me.

Some they think only to marry,
others will tease and tarry.
Mine is the very best parry.
Cupid he rules us all.

Caper the cape, but sing me the song,
Death will come soon to hush us along.
Sweeter than honey... and bitter as gall,
Love is a task and it never will pall.
Sweeter than honey and bitter as gall.
Cupid, he rules us all.

A rose will bloom.
It then will fade:
So does a youth,
So does the fairest maid.