“They was one onct tho’—when I’s young,
An’ never dreamt o’ trouble,
Jes’ whissled, hollered, played, an’ sung,
Nor knowed the hay from stubble.
What was it ripped them clouds apart,
An’ let the light shine on my heart?
“The kids they do’ know what it means
Thet ray thet perkles threw,
An’ makes ’em reely kings an’ queens,
Like I was onct an’ yew.