Old Friends/Bookends
Simon And Garfunkel · The Best of Simon & Garfunkel [1999]
Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
Of the high shoes
Of the old friends
Winter companions
The old men
Lost in their overcoats
Waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city
Sifting through the trees
Settle like dust
On the shoulders
Of the old friends
Can you imagine us
Years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange
To be seventy
Old friends
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear...
Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, A time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; They're all that's left you
Old Friends/Bookends
Old Friends/Bookends stands as a defining moment in the discography of Simon and Garfunkel, capturing the duo at the height of their harmonic synergy. Featured on their 1968 album Bookends, the track serves as a thematic bridge, weaving together the album's exploration of life's transitions with a sense of nostalgic reflection. The recording showcases the artists' signature blend of folk-rock sensibilities and intricate vocal arrangements, establishing a mood that balances melancholy with enduring warmth. As part of their celebrated body of work, the song exemplifies the pair's ability to craft intimate narratives that resonate across generations. Its inclusion in various compilations underscores its status as a staple of their catalogue, representing the sophisticated songwriting that cemented their legacy in popular music history.