I Remember, I Remember

I remember, I remember The house where I was born; The rent was thirty-two a month, Which made my father mourn. He said he could remember when His father paid the rent; And when a man's expenses did Not take his every cent. I remember, I remember-- My mother telling my cousin That eggs had gone to twenty-six Or seven cents a dozen; And how she told my father that She didn't like to speak Of things like that, but Bridget now Demanded four a week. I remember, I remember-- And with a mirthless laugh-- My weekly board at college took A jump to three and a half. I bought an eighteen-dollar suit, And father told me, "Sonny, I'll pay the bill this time, but, Oh, I am not made out of money!" I remember, I remember, When I was young and brave And I declared, "Well, Birdie, we Shall now begin to save." It was a childish ignorance, But now 'tis little joy To know I'm farther off from wealth Than when I was a boy.