Lyrics
When I was seventeen
Reflecting on experiences at the age of seventeen.
It was a very good year
Expressing that being seventeen was a positive and memorable time.
It was a very good year for small town girls
Highlighting that it was a great year for small-town girls.
And soft summer nights
Emphasizing pleasant memories of soft summer nights.
We'd hide from the lights
Recalling moments of hiding from lights during those nights.
On the village green
Referencing a specific location, the village green, where memories were made.
When I was seventeen
Reiterating the positive feelings associated with being seventeen.
When I was twenty-one
Transitioning to the age of twenty-one.
It was a very good year
Expressing that being twenty-one was also a very good year.
It was a very good year for city girls
Highlighting the positive experiences with city girls at this age.
Who lived up the stair
Describing the living arrangements of these city girls.
With all that perfumed hair
Noting the allure of perfumed hair, which eventually "came undone."
And it came undone
Indicating a change or ending associated with being twenty-one.
When I was twenty-one
Reiterating the positive feelings associated with being twenty-one.
When I was thirty-five
Advancing to the age of thirty-five.
It was a very good year
Stating that being thirty-five was a very good year.
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
Highlighting positive experiences with blue-blooded girls of independent means.
Of independent means
Describing the social status or wealth of these girls.
We'd ride in limousines
Depicting a luxurious lifestyle, including rides in limousines.
Their chauffeurs would drive
Noting the presence of chauffeurs driving the limousines.
When I was thirty-five
Reiterating the positive feelings associated with being thirty-five.
But now the days grow short
Introducing a shift in the narrative, acknowledging the shortening of days.
I'm in the autumn of the year
Describing the current stage in life as the autumn of the year.
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
Reflecting on life as if it were vintage wine.
From fine old kegs
Comparing life to wine stored in fine old kegs.
From the brim to the dregs
Describing the entirety of life, from the brim to the dregs.
And it poured sweet and clear
Portraying life as having poured sweet and clear.
It was a very good year
Affirming that it was a very good year when reflecting on life.
It was a mess of good years
Concluding with a summary that it was a mess of good years.
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