New friends I cherish, and treasure their worth
But old friends, to me are the salt of the earth.
Friends are like garments, that everyone wears-
New ones are needed for dress-up affairs
But when we're at leisure we're more apt to choose
The clothes that we purchased with last season's shoes.

Things we grow used to are things we love best-
The ones we are certain have weathered the test
And isn't it true (since we 're talking of friends)
That new ones bring pleasure when everything blends.

But when we want someone who thinks as we do
And who fits, as I mentioned, like last Summer's shoe
We turn to the friends who have stuck thru the years
Who echo our laughter, and dry all out tears;
They know every weakness and fault we possess
Somehow forget them, in friendship's caress.

The story is ancient-yet fragrant and sweet
I've said it before, so just let me repeat
New friends I cherish, and treasure their worth
But old friends, to me are the salt of the earth.