So Long, Folks! Off to the War!

WHEN I was little, oh a very small boy,
With a Ford, fish, and go fly your kite,
I lived in a house in a cookie-jar joy,
With a bed, game, and I’m it tonight.

I wore short pants and had dimples in my knees,
With a Whitney-Pratt, call me that again,
I had a girl friend more pretty than you please,
With a top, bee, and so’s your old man.

I played in the street, oh I never saw school,
With a Campbell can, and knock that off,
I hid and I sought and I broke THE rule,
With a me, who, and why don’t you cough?

WHEN I was happy, oh a very small boy,
With a sink, stove, and jump in the lake,
I made mud huts I would never destroy,
With a strap, please, be good for my sake.

I didn’t grow much, and then I grew fast,
With a book, bat, and why don’t you try?
I never was first but I was never last,
With a good, bad, and who knows why?

I grew like grass, Oh! we said, like corn!
With an ache, break, and which way to go?
I dreamed some nights that I’d never been born,
With a glad, sad — I still don’t know.