July 02, 2011
I Am Sixty-Four
When I'm Sixty-Four
When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now,
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine?
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?
oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oooo
You'll be older too, (ah ah ah ah ah)
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.
I could be handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride.
Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?
Every summer we can rent a cottage
In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck, and Dave
Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view.
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, Wasting Away.
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?
Whoo!
For many years, I threw a big party for my birthday. Then I turned 60 years old. That was the last time I had a big birthday party. I planned to to have one this year. However, my sister Gay Lynn is turning 60 and she is planning a huge party in two weeks. So, I thought it would be better to let all the lime light shine on her.
Still, I am 64 years old today.
The summer that I turned 20 years old, the Beatles release their Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Roughly two years later, I really was getting into the Beatles. It might have even been at one of my birthday parties, that I was listening in the purple haze to "When I'm Sixty-Four" and laughing. I said to my friends "Will we ever be 64?" I think it was Greg Speltz or John Ganapes that assured me that, yes, we would be 64. But would we still be friends, sharing wine and spending time together.
I thought some about growing old over the years. I always knew that we might all get together again when I turned 64, because I would throw a party. Thankfully, many of my friends from 40 years ago are still my friends. And, of course, I have many new friends.
I will be at Gay Lynn's 60th birthday party on July 16th. I hope to see a lot of my old friends there. She will welcome all of you.
The lyrics to that old Beatles song haunt me a bit. But the answers the questions posed in the song are clear. You will be sending me a valentine, sending birthday greetings and sharing a bottle of wine.
I Am Sixty-Four
Taken 2 July 2011 in Bloomington, MN
Great pic! Cool cat at 64.
Posted by: Mickie Turk at July 2, 2011 05:41 PMHi Bill, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! The important thing is that you are healthy and you have many friends, many of them from many years ago. Besides, you keep your age very well!! Big hug.
Posted by: Martín at July 2, 2011 06:04 PMHappy Birthday Bill! See you on the 16th!
Posted by: Greg Speltz at July 2, 2011 07:10 PMLove the song! Too bad Lennon didn't make it to 64. I was recently in Liverpool, btw, and loved it!
Happy birthday again!!
Happy belated birthday!! Where have all of the years gone:)
Posted by: Nancy Stine at July 3, 2011 08:46 AMHappy Birthday and a big hug from your friends in Germany!
Posted by: Heike and Björn at July 4, 2011 02:04 AMAhh, Bill. I remember those days with fondness. I hope to see you and everyone on the 16th. Happy Birthday.
Posted by: John Ganapes at July 4, 2011 10:35 AMwow!!!!!! u look Great !! Happy Birthday !!.....Betty is still there & I am sure she shares the Bottle of wine with u & she IS ur Vallentine & U still have ur hair !!
Jim & Were away & today we read both ur emauls So sorry to hear about ur DAD....he had a good life & died well. ...we r hugging u & wish we were closer to share a WAKE with u & Betty.
xxxxxxxx missu xxxxxxxx
Posted by: lise nicholson at July 4, 2011 02:26 PMBusier thenever, but here is wishing you all the best! Happy Birthday & Many More, Jeff ;o)
Posted by: Jeff K. at July 5, 2011 12:29 PMhola bill, happy birthday, ciao luke
Posted by: luke rader at July 6, 2011 11:34 AMHi #? Cousin!
What a blast to be alive at 64, or, like me, 66! It's just too hard to understand 'how' all those years went so quick! Sometimes I' fairly certain I wasn't present during too many of them!
I discovered your awesome family history site from a never-before-known Clewett gal cousin who lived within 40 miles of my hometown, Oakdale, California. Her home was in and around Stockton. She sent me a large packet of family records as an awesome gift last Summer, then she simply has vanished.
Anyway, my condolences on your dad's passing. My life and marriage were falling apart when my dear father passed on, and I didn't grieve his going for many years. Now, I miss his gentle, sweet heart so much.
Cousin Bill, enjoy all your travels. Family, too. I miss mine so much.
Love and prayers,
Claude Armstrong
Lakewood, Washington