First line sounds like
Quand j'etais aussi folle

Pretty song!

Not sure it makes sense with the song, but what I hear for the 1st line is "Quand cet pays est aussi froid".

I listened to the other versions.
Jackie Caillier say : "Moi, j'après vieillir aussi tard". It's too much different.
But Sundown Playboys say : "Dans ce s'pays (z)aussi grande". It seems more logical.

"Dans ce pays aussi grand" or "Dans ce pays aussi froid". Both are possible.

Marc.

Thanks, my dad could not figure out the 1st verse so he made up something else, but I like to try to look at the words to know what he is singing. That helps me. He used to sing this when Mr. Eric played Accordion with my dad and my Uncle. Pretty waltz. I just learned it on Accordion. Thanks, Cameron

you guys are such a resource for us non-French speakers. I know I wasn't the one who asked for these lyrics, but still, a general thanks to those who offer their help on these.