Originally broadcast on CHED radio - Date unknown

Gone is the laughter, gone are the tears, 

What has become of those "in between" years, 

The old family house stands deserted and bare, 

Oh where are the joys that used to live there.

It was 20 years last autumn, when I bid them all goodbye, 

And though she tried to hide it, there was a tear in mothers eye,

I was the first one leaving, and though it hurt my Ma, 

There was still three other young ones, at home with her and Pa, 

But the years pass by so quickly, one by one they said farewell, 

Jim and Burt moved to the city, Homer Johnson married Mel, 

And before they knew what happened, there was only mom and dad, 

And all those years of laughter turned into something sad.

Gone is the laughter, gone are the tears, 

What has become of those "in between" years, 

The old family house stands deserted and bare, 

Oh where are the joys that used to live there,

I was somewhere east of Cheyenne when I heard that Pa had died. 

With that little gray haired lady sitting faithful by his side, 

And they said that she died with him, everything she loved was gone, 

But with a courage deep inside her, she somehow managed on, 

Today up to the church yard, I took a lonely ride, 

And saw where they had laid her, close by my father side, 

And one thought will always haunt me, as o’er the world I roam, 

When I knew how much she needed me, why didn't I go home.

Gone is the laughter, gone are the tears, 

What has become of those "in between" years, 

The old family house stands deserted and bare, 

Oh where are the joys that used to live there.