Left home young, returned old; my hometown accent unchanged, but my temples thin and grey.
Tips
history
Opening of He Zhizhang 贺知章's Tang 《回乡偶书》: 少小离家老大回，乡音无改鬓毛衰。儿童相见不相识，笑问客从何处来。 (Left home young, returned old; my accent unchanged but my hair now thin. The children see me but do not know me, and laughingly ask, 'Guest, where are you from?') Written when He Zhizhang retired to his hometown after 50+ years at the Tang court.
usage
少小 = young and little; 老大 = old (classical usage), not 'eldest sibling.' Commonly used of anyone coming back after long absence.
