The first 6,570 days, you're treated as a king
They tell you that you can be anything
Failing to warn of what the real future brings
   Everyone loves you, until you're 18

Nevermind preparing America's youth for what is ahead
Feed us lies and outdated curriculum instead
Row row row, remember? . . . life is but a dream
   Everyone loves you, until you're 18

Happiness can come with many limitations
So many that sadness is seeming more a celebration
Depressing, but apparently, that is how it must be
   Everyone loves you, until you're 18

Refrain from smiling, stray away from laughter
In this world, misery seems to follow soon after
Don't get to pumped kids, the world is not what it seems
   I just wish I had known, before I turned 18