Meaning

A song about growing up in a 'utopian community' in Denmark (Christiania)

The lyrics are by the singer himself, under his full name, Lukas Graham Forchhammer – an indication of his cross-national heritage. It's a highly emotive song. The singer recalls his childhood, his hopes, his dreams – and smoking weed at 11. He looks forward to turning 60. It's personal. “I couldn't go any further than 60 because my father died at 61,” Graham, who is 27, has said.

Lyrics

Once I was seven years old my momma told me
Go make yourself some friends
or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old

It was a big big world,
but we thought we were bigger
Pushing each other to the limits,
we were learning quicker
By eleven smoking herb and
drinking burning liquor
Never rich so we were out

Once I was eleven years old my daddy told me
Go get yourself a wife or you'll be lonely
Once I was eleven years old

I always had that dream like my daddy before me
So I started writing songs,
I started writing stories
Something about that glory
just always seemed to bore me
'Cause only those I really love
will ever really know me

Once I was twenty years old, my story got told
Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
Once I was twenty years old

I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
'Cause I know the smallest voices,
they can make it major
I got my boys with me at least those in favor
And if we don't meet before I leave,
I hope I'll see you later

Once I was twenty years old, my story got told
I was writing about everything,
I saw before me
Once I was twenty years old

Soon we'll be thirty years old,
our songs have been sold
We've traveled around the world
and we're still roaming
Soon we'll be thirty years old

I'm still learning about life
My woman brought children for me
So I can sing them all my songs
And I can tell them stories
Most of my boys are with me
Some are still out seeking glory
And some I had to leave behind
My brother I'm still sorry

Soon I'll be sixty years old,
my daddy got sixty-one
Remember life and then
your life becomes a better one
I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit,
once or twice a month

Soon I'll be sixty years old,
will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me
Soon I'll be sixty years old
Soon I'll be sixty years old,
will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me
Soon I'll be sixty years old

Once I was seven years old, momma told me
Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old

Once I was seven years old
Play with the song, fill the gaps
Legend
  • The video player plays from the time specified
  • Chorus
  • People Talking

Vocabulary

can tell

to distinguish; to see (a difference); to know or decide
Can you tell the difference between them?
I can’t tell one from the other

to make steady figure

to make a reliable income

smoking herb

Smoking marijuana

make it major

To be very successful, often famous

roaming

To move about or travel aimlessly, with no particular destination