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When I Become Old

by Billy Dreskin

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about

"When I Become Old" comes from "Go Out in Joy," Beged Kefet's 2nd album (1991). It was written as An Old Person's Bill of Rights. Beged Kefet (1982-2009) was comprised of: Rabbi Les Bronstein, Rabbi Billy Dreskin, Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Cantor Riki Lippitz, Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, Beth Sher, and Cantor Leon Sher. As you will hear, we worked hard to produce tight harmonies. And this was before you could tune things up afterward. Audio verite, you might say!

lyrics

WHEN I BECOME OLD
Words and Music by Billy Dreskin

When I become old, I want to live
where I can keep my self-respect.
When I become old, I want to know
I won’t be cut down by others’ neglect.

People are the same, we’re all people.
We’ve got rights that are basic,
regardless of whether we’re female or male
or we’re black or we’re white.
To tell me I can’t, ‘cuz I’m old, isn’t right.

When I become old,
I want to work, have a career, ply at a trade.
Or maybe instead, I’ll [volunteer],
reach out to those, alone and afraid

People have a right to contribute
to the world that we live in,
regardless of whether we’re tall or we’re short
or we’re weak or we’re strong.
To tell me I can’t, ‘cuz I’m old, simply is wrong!

Find me a place. Open your heart.
Give me a chance. Let me become a part
of my life and my dreams.
Let me be more than it seems that I could ever be.

People, these aren’t just other people.
If you look in the mirror,
the person you see may be selfish or kind
or in prison or free.
But that person will one day be old.
That person is you. That person is me.

When I become old,
I pray to God the prayers of my youth
will not be denied.
When I become old,
I hope that old doesn’t mean — I merely ... survived.

credits

released December 1, 1991
Keyboard and computer programming: Billy Dreskin
Vocals: Beged Kefet
Sound Engineering: Skipp Tullen z"l
Recorded in 1991 at Tullen Sound Recording (Morristown, NJ)

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Billy Dreskin New York, New York

While Billy Dreskin has spent most of his life as a rabbi, he studied music composition at Brandeis University and graduated with a love of writing for musical theatre. Way back in 1985, his music was featured in the off-Broadway musical, "Personals," Now retired and teetering on the edge of “old manhood,” Billy still loves creating music and is eager to do more. ... more

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