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Walk Tall
I was born and raised in a little town by the name of Calder
That was just twenty miles south of the Canadian border
As a boy I enjoyed going to school and was doing really well
Mom sang my praises to all her friends; she was proud you could tell.
My folks were quite well to do; my father owned a large factory
And he wanted me to take over from him when I finished university
My mother always encouraged me since I was knee high
She'd say "Walk tall and always look the world right in the eye".
Everyone makes mistakes in their lives; often crossing a line
It was in the summer of sixty-eight and that's when I made mine
I started hanging out with some kids from the roughest part of town
I started drinking and taking drugs my father warned me I'd go down.
Some nights we'd go off to the woods and party until sunrise
Then I'd go home to sleep it off telling my folks a pack of lies
One of our gang called Jed suggested we rob an out of state gas station
We stole a car and put on masks and put Jed's plan into action.
I'll never forget the look on the girls face as Jed pointed his father's gun
Nervously she handed over the cash and then we went on the run
We were laughing hysterically and Jed drove us to the liquor store
We got drunk and I suggested that we go back and get some more.
Jed was driving us back to the woods and was swerving side to side
We all thought it was great fun and were all enjoying the ride
He failed to see a highway patrol car who gave chase and was on our tail
Jed tried to outrun it and saying "If I don't lose it we're all going to jail".
He sped down our main street and crossing the road was an elderly man
He'd tried to swerve but hit him head on then crashed into a van
Jed died too with the impact and had gone through the windscreen
Along with two girls who'd been in the back with me, they died at the scene.
I spent four long months in hospital recovering from my injuries
Then went before the judge in court to answer all the charges
I owned up to stealing the car and being at the gas station robbery
But I hadn't held the gun or drove so those charges weren't pinned on me.
Drug possession was another charge and drinking whilst under age
Our local paper had a field day with the story and it made the front page
At the end of the trial the judge passed sentence and I got fifteen years
I remember glancing at the public gallery and saw mom and dad in tears.
Two years later mom passed away whilst I was doing time inside
I wasn't allowed to attend her funeral and just broke down and cried
And I'd often think back and remember what she said when I was knee high
"Son walk tall and always look the world right in the eye".
Thirteen years later they released me; and finally I was free
And outside the jail was my father, who had come to meet me
Tears were streaming down his face and all I could say was "Sorry"
And I vowed to put right the wrongs I'd done in honour of mom's memory.
I went to night school and studied business and eventually got my degree
My father decided to take early retirement and I took over the company
Because boredom played a part in my downfall and I ended up doing time
I opened a youth club for the kids in town to help steer them away from crime.
I volunteered to speak at local schools telling them about my life of crime
Warning them of the dangers and that like me they'd end up doing time
I'd always finish with mom's wise words and said "Hold your heads up high
Walk Tall be proud and always look the world right in the eye".
Written on 7th August 2023
Copyright ©
Tom Cunningham
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