Gathering Up the Shells from the Seashore

I wandered today on the sea shore
The waves and the winds were low
I thought of the days gone by, Maude
Many long years ago

We lingered by the gently flowing billows
And watched the golden sunset fade away
And there among the sweet ocean breezes
We talked about our future wedding day

Chorus
Gathering up the shells from the sea shore
Gathering up the shells from the sea
Those were the happiest days of all, Maude
Gathering up the shells from the shore

When the waves are rolling on the ocean
And the golden moonbeams on the pebbles shine
At your cottage by the sea I'll come again, Maude
When the waves are rolling gently, sweetheart mine

Now I am growing up in years, Maude
My locks are all silver and gray
But the vows that we made on the sea shore
Are fresh in my memory today

No more bright shells we will gather
As the waves come dashing as of yore
She lies neath the white pebble sand
Just covered up with shells on the shore

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Lyrics from the Mountain Music for Everyone Collection, a database of nearly 400 traditional songs common in bluegrass and old-time circles. The collection is provided by the Abbott family, which also offers books and CDs aimed at providing a path to playing by ear, songbooks, and play-along CDs for learning these traditional songs. Visit www.PlayingByEar.com for more.