When I was young it seemed
That life was so wonderful
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical
And all the birds in the trees
Well they'd be singing so happily
Joyfully, oh playfully watching me

But then they sent me away
To teach me how to be sensible,
Logical, oh responsible, practical
And they showed me a world
Where I could be so dependable
Clinical, oh intellectual, cynical.

There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man
Won't you please,
Please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am

Oh watch what you say
Or they'll be calling you a radical,
A liberal, oh fanatical, criminal
Oh won't you sign up your name
We'd like to feel you're acceptable
Respectable, presentable - a vegetable!

But at night when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man
Won't you please,
Please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am