The song is referring to the last words of Johnny Cade in the book as well as the film The Outsiders where he told Ponyboy Curtis to “Stay gold Ponyboy… st… stay gold”
[Verse 1]
Seize upon that moment long ago
One breath away and there you will be
So young and carefree
Again you will see
That place in time
So gold
[Verse 2]
Steal away into that way back when
You thought that all would last forever
But like the weather
Nothing can ever
And be in time
Stay gold
[Bridge]
But can it be
When we can see
So vividly
A memory?
And yes you say
So must the day
Too, fade away
And leave a ray of sun
So gold
[Verse 3]
Life is but a twinkling of an eye
Yet filled with sorrow and compassion
Though not imagined
All things that happen
Will age too old
Though gold
Gold, gold, gold, gold
[Harmonica Solo]
Stay Gold was written by Stevie Wonder & Carmine Coppola.