Back Then

Smoke ‘em if you got them. Save the bottles for return. That hippie needs a haircut. What the hell’s a Lady Bird? My Christmas tree had bubble lights, My watch lit up at night. Four-bits for my gasoline And Cassius won the fight. Music was a wall of sound. A Stingray running fast, Footsteps left upon the moon, War’s ended, "Peace at Last". Paychecks from the mills and mines, From Ford and IBM. Farming amber waves of grain That’s how it was back then. From all around on Friday nights The hometown crowd, the football lights. The pom-pom girls would dance and cheer, I saw you there far so near. And though my odds were slim & none I had to try to make my run, And never look back on the day I had my chance and walked away. The party went ‘til midnight, Coors and California Dip. The Ventures playing “Pipeline”. You said “Let's do The Twist!”. We dated first on New Year's Eve, I looked into your eyes. We tied the knot in April, We made love until July. But the world and I spun faster then, You tried to be my rock. Me, I acted like a fool. You said “Its time we talk!“. I thought I was your shining knight And you my Perfect 10. Why can't we get back to be just Like we were back then? Throughout time there’s joy and pain, We can't expect things not to change. When it was time to leave our mark, Time after time I broke your heart. The Texas sun goes down again. A long day's work about to end. Forty miles to drive back home Flip on the light and drink alone. Damned if I know why it all changed, Wish I could tell you when. I only wish that I could make it Like it was back then.