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, playfully watching me. 
But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible, 
logical, responsible, practical. 
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable, 
clinical, intellectual, cynical. 

There are times when all the world’s asleep, 
the [bad word] 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. 

Now watch what you say or they’ll be calling you a radical, 
liberal, fanatical, criminal. 
Won’t you sign up your name, we’d like to feel you’re 
acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable! 

At night, when all the world’s asleep, 
the [bad word] so 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.