Oh, please take me back to those old days, I plead

When brother helped brother if he were in need.

When families got together at reunion time

When nobody ever committed a crime

When jails were too plentiful and criminals few

And the small word was "I," the main word was "you."

When games children played were Red Rover and Tag.

And they never thought of "taking a drag."

Before child abuse, riots, and pornography

When there was no alternative to "good old" monogomy.

Before gangs and drive-bys, videos and TV

Before Nintendos, Atari's, before the PC.

When family life meant more than it does today

When parents and siblings all knelt down to pray;

When marriage meant coming together as one.

When children were spanked for the wrong they had done

When suppertime was the event of the day

And friends were true friends in a whole different way.

When church members aided the poor in despair

And looked after each other with love and true care

And earnestly prayed for their neighbors in trouble

And if they needed for a dollar, the church would give double.

I am fearful those days are lost in the past

When life was worth living, though a difficult task.

I would love to have been there, in those days of old

I'd give up everything today, my silver and gold.

Just to live in a world where love flows like a stream

Though we can't bring them back, about them we'll dream!