Before you buy

The things you read,

Find out who's paid to write.

And tell the guy

Whose path you lead:

"Hey, keep your Dreams in sight."

Luck can make or break you, friend,

So, sing a thing you love.

The Truth will hide.

The light will guide.

The rest, you'll rise above.

So, don't go joining

No damn Hippie Cult.

When you grow up, son,

Why not be adult?

Teenaged gangster bullshit kills,

And Death, boy, is for always.

Money, drugs, and girls. The thrills

Are lurking in the hallways.

Take care. Take time.

Take lots of thought.

Pay heed to what I say.

The World is more than we were taught.

The World is here to stay.

Ask your school

"Who picks the books?"

And "Whose ax does he grind?"

Play it cool.

Don't play the fool

By playing with your mind.

Don't believe that same old

Shuck and Jive.

When you grow up, son,

Why not be alive?

What comes will not be

What you've planned.

You'll face it if you dare.

When things get hard to understand,

Have strength to show you care.

Life is what you make it.

Go and take it.

Grab your share.

When you grow up, son,

Why not be aware?

Take Life. Take Heart.

And find out what your part is

In the plan.

When you grow up, son,

Why not be a man?

Please, live so you'll be pleased

With the result.

When you grow up, son,

Why not be adult?