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 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 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