Once I Was

Once I was, I was, I was, there were ribbons in my hair
There were leaves of streaming gold everywhere
If a boy said, "Hello", I would hide, trembling so, trembling so
Now I barely know what the meaning of 'No' is

Now I am, I am, I am past an audience I stare
What is gold is how the lights touch my hair
All the boys turn to men, all the leaves change again
Change again, change again
Still I answer, "Yes" though I know what will happen

As these phases come and go
Music tells me what I need to know