At the Music Hall, “Silver Threads Among the Gold,” 1873

Darling, I am growing old,
Silver threads among the gold,
Shine upon my brow today,
Life is fading fast away.
But, my darling, you will be, will be
Always young and fair to me,
Yes, my darling, you will be
Always young and fair to me.

Composer H.P. Danke had penned a song which he felt needed lyrics. He contacted Eben E. Rexford—a popular poet and author of “home and garden” magazine articles. Rexford looked through a collection of poetry he had written as a teenager and found a verse about growing older. Danke felt that the poem suited his song well. Copyrighted in 1873, Silver Threads Among the Gold became an instant success with a popularity that endured for many decades.

A sentimental favorite, the song was a staple of the American music hall, later finding its way into the repertoires of popular singers such as John MacCormack, Bing Crosby, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others.