Time Was
He looked at the old man with tobacco stains on his shirt
Then asked if times were different when he was a kid
The old man smiled and said I’ll tell you a story
About the times we had and the things we did.
Time was when we pledged our allegiance
Being patriotic didn’t make you a fool
Time was when you respected your elders
Each day God was in our public school
We had Friday night dances in the old gym
And pep rallies before the big game
A Ford was a Ford and a Chevy a Chevy
No two cars ever looked the same
We traveled around pedaling a bike
On the handlebars our glove we would drape
With eight or nine kids a game we would play
And our baseball was covered with electrical tape
We walked home after dark alone without fear
Sometimes we would go to the park
Ride the swings and merry go round, even climb trees
Carve our initials into the bark
Time was we had moral standards on TV
They played the National Anthem when day was done
Time was neighbors cared about each other
And a back porch gathering was a lot of fun
We decorated our cars in school colors before a game
We’d work on it until the sun went down
Then go to the game with carload of friends
If we won, we’d beep our horns all over town
Time was when we shopped downtown
We knew all the owners by name
Time was when the music was clean
And a smile could start a new flame.
So yes it was different, was it better or worse
They are the times I often dream of
I don’t know if they were a blessing or curse
Time was we were surrounded by love.
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