Back to School
Nostalgic Reflections: Back to School Days Echoed in Melancholic Memories
Lyrics
Wintertime comes early to the north part of this state
Early onset of winter in the northern part of the state.
I walk along the river where we used to come and skate
Reflecting on the past, walking by the river where they used to skate.
The trees're now all gone and by the river there's a sign
Notable changes, trees are gone, and there's a sign indicating trespassing penalties.
Trespassin' is a twenty dollar fine
Trespassing results in a twenty-dollar fine.
Lookin' up the road toward the schoolhouse on the hill
Observing the schoolhouse on the hill and feeling uneasy about the empty building.
That thing about an empty building causes me to chill
Memories resurface as the emptiness of the building is unsettling.
My memory goes back to when the teacher rang the bell
Recollection of the past when the teacher rang the bell.
The day she sent you home for saying hell
Remembering the day when the speaker was sent home for saying "hell."
Walkin' past the building so important in my past
Walking past a building significant to the speaker's past.
The road is full of ol' discarded bottles and some trash
The road is littered with discarded bottles and trash.
I step behind the building as I shelter from the cold
Seeking shelter from the cold behind the building.
I see our names in letters big and bold
Discovering their names carved in big and bold letters.
My fingers trace the letters of a work of art alone
Tracing the letters as a solitary work of art.
And I recall the day that you carved it in a stone
Recalling the day when the names were carved into a stone.
Somehow I can see you now with books and coat in hand
Imagining the companion with books and coat, waving while running down the hill.
You always waved as down the hill you ran
Being greeted with a wave as they ran down the hill.
Cokes were just a nickel then and many were the times
Reminiscing about the past when Coca-Colas were only a nickel.
The two of us would sip them as if they were village wine
Sharing moments of sipping Coca-Colas as if they were precious.
And then on Graduation Day we bought the little ring
Recalling Graduation Day when they bought a small ring, emphasizing that carats didn't matter.
And said that carats didn't mean a thing
Emphasizing the insignificance of carats in the context of their relationship.
Now I retrace my footsteps to the cab that waits for me
Retracing footsteps to a waiting cab, looking back at names carved on a tree.
Looking back to see our names you carved upon a tree
Observing names carved on a tree before leaving.
The driver says I look familiar asks me what's my name
A cab driver recognizes the speaker and asks for their name.
I say hurry I have to catch a plane
Hurrying to catch a plane, signaling a sense of urgency.
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