Leaves That Are Green
Paul Simon · Songbook [2009]
I was twenty-one years when I wrote this song.
I'm twenty-two now but I won't be for long
Time hurries on.
And the leaves that are green turn to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand.
Once my heart was filled with the love of a girl.
I held her close, but she faded in the night
Like a poem I meant to write.
And the leaves that are green turn to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand.
I threw a pebble in a brook
And watched the ripples run away
And they never made a sound.
And the leaves that are green turned to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand.
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
Good-bye, Good-bye, Good-bye, Good-bye,
That's all there is.
And the leaves that are green turned to brown.
I'm twenty-two now but I won't be for long
Time hurries on.
And the leaves that are green turn to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand.
Once my heart was filled with the love of a girl.
I held her close, but she faded in the night
Like a poem I meant to write.
And the leaves that are green turn to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand.
I threw a pebble in a brook
And watched the ripples run away
And they never made a sound.
And the leaves that are green turned to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand.
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
Good-bye, Good-bye, Good-bye, Good-bye,
That's all there is.
And the leaves that are green turned to brown.
Leaves That Are Green
Paul Simon's "Leaves That Are Green" appears on his 2009 album "Songbook," a collection of previously unreleased material recorded during the 1980s. The track exemplifies Simon's signature acoustic guitar-driven style, blending folk sensibilities with the polished production characteristic of his later work. Recorded alongside other significant tracks from this era, the song reflects Simon's continued exploration of personal themes and lyrical depth outside the commercial cycles of his major releases. As part of his broader discography, this recording stands as a testament to his enduring influence on American folk-rock and his commitment to preserving his catalog through archival releases.