When Did the Time Become So Short?

I just watchéd the sun rising over
The green fields the harvest once bore,
But the horizon it's cresting,
The sun's somehow setting—
I turned away once,
But never will more.

My fields they were green, gave many a thing
Back when upon them the rain used to fall.
I took but one resting,
Now my crops are all wilting—
I turned away once,
But never will more.

For only one second
I shifted my glance and
Came back to find
A world I don't know.

It was only a second,
Just one simple moment—
O' when did the time
Become so short?

I was reading the lines on your face, dear,
Last night when we laid down to bed,
But I was awoken
To find my heart broken—
I turned away once,
But never will more.

Your words are the same, your book is not changed,
But the author, I do not know.
Now, your pages are closin'
And my tears are a-chokin'—
I turned away once,
But never will more.

For only one second
I shifted my glance and
Came back to find
A world I don't know.

It was only a second,
Just one simple moment—
O' when did the time
Become so short?

They say that it "moves fast:
There's nothing can last,"
But I've also been told that it's slow.

I once wished it'd creep by,
Give you and I more time,
But now move swiftly and quickly I hope.

I've planted the seeds for next springing,
Lord knows I wish for the best,
But the shadows hand under,
I'm hearing the thunder—
I turned away once,
But never will more.

I just watchéd the sun falling over
The green fields that never could keep,
And I can't help but wonder
If you are out yonder—
I turned away once,
To find you no more...

For only one second
I shifted my glance and
Came back to find
A world I don't know.

It was only a second,
Just one simple moment—
O' when did the time
Become so short?