I wrote this song when I was 16 years old, about my first love, who I was convinced was going to be my wife and my lifelong partner.

Isn't young love blind?

Young and Tender

She was so pretty standing there

With the sun at her back

Her hair blowing in the wind

Shone like the early morning dew

Her sparkling blue eyes

Would show her hidden feelings

When her gaze

Happened to fall on you

She is so young and so tender

Yet, I love her

With a love that will only grow

Until I can no longer live

Knowing she doesn't love me so

It hurts you know

It hurts

The first time that I saw her

She looked just like an angel

And I didn't think

I could live without her for a day

Even now my feelings toward her

Keep growing stronger

And soon my aching heart

Will say

She is so young and so tender

Yet, I love her

With a love that will only grow

Until I can no longer live

Knowing she doesn't love me so

It hurts you know

It hurts

Someday the time will be right

She will be a little older

And the two of us will be able

To make love grow

But until then

I will have to watch and wait

And my love for her

Will grow and grow and grow

She is so young and so tender

Yet, I love her

With a love that will only grow

Until I can no longer live

Knowing she doesn't love me so

It hurts you know

It hurts

It hurts you know

It hurts

November 1973