"The Happiest Days Of All" lyrics - THE CARTER FAMILY

I wandered today on the seashore
The waves and the winds are low
I thought of the days that are gone by, ma
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

Gathering up the shells from the seashore
Gathering up the shells from the sea
Those were the happiest days of all, ma
Gathering up the shells from the shore

[Instrumental break]

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, ma
When the waves are rolling gentle, sweetheart mine

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

Gathering up the shells from the seashore
Gathering up the shells from the sea
Those were the happiest days of all, ma
Gathering up the shells from the shore

[Instrumental break]

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

Gathering up the shells from the seashore
Gathering up the shells from the sea
Those were the happiest days of all, ma
Gathering up the shells from the shore