Tony and I got up that day
As we looked for something to do
then with Kerny, took a journey
to the edge of the world we knew
I had brought a pack of cigarettes
we pilfered from the night before
From a red shirt, covered in dirt
his brother had left on the floor

As with all young boys of the time
we thought smoking would make us cool
And so we choked, as each one smoked
and acted then played the fool
Kerny brought along some fireworks
which were great for blowing up cans
Oh each could see, we were the three
who always had great master plans

On the lane that led to the house
were double rows of cherry trees
each infested, there they nested
with tent worms and a few with bees
It didn’t take much of a thought
to imagine routing them out
We made a torch, up on the porch
we would take care of them no doubt

We soaked the torch in gasoline
lit that baby and let it burn
“Oh yeah” we said, “they'll soon be dead”
as we each torched the trees in turn
When we had finished with that chore
flaming lollipops came to mind
As all the worms, then met our terms
there were none left for us to find

We were right proud of what we'd done
headed off for the house to gloat
So we the worst, quenched our thirst
there by the pond we called the moat
The day was only half over
after lunch we had plans to roam
So off we went, without repent
down the hill away from his home

We took the riding lawnmower
down the hill that led to the creek
Each full of fire, we'd never tire
there was no mercy for the weak
We used the mower to pull out
the bushes that blew in the breeze
then threw them off, the winding trough
where the creek had played through the trees

The only problem with this plan
came when we noticed all we'd done
For if we could, ******* if we should
though it was in the name of fun
luckily it was getting dark
the mosquitoes had taken flight
We'd done our best, gave it a rest
went back home and called it a night

There were always things to do then
around the hundred acre wood
With luck we'd keep, forgoing sleep  
and would live as we thought boys should
For there we tasted happiness
without television or phone
tested our strength, to such great length
that our muscles ached to the bone

So now we look back in dismay
as America's kids grow fat
We don't know why, our kids won't try
or why one might act like a brat
  They lack what we took for granted
the reward work and toil both yields
The right to play, every day
under blue skies on green fields


Tate