We didn''t need much back then, just a smile
And Daddy would sing
And buy us ice cream
And we would listen

Uncle Louie would come over for dinner on Sundays
He taught piano to my sister, Kath
And I''d stand behind
And imitate him
And she would laugh
And he''d get mad

And if I knew then what I know now
I wouldn''t rush the growing old
I''d take the flu, the measles, and the blues
And I guess I''d do as I was told

Kathy would walk up ahead, and I''d follow
She seemed so big back then, and me so small
And Mommy would give
Me one dime, and her two nickels
And I would cry
''Cause she got more

And if I knew then what I know now
I wouldn''t rush the growing old
I''d take the flu, the measles, and the blues
And I guess I''d do as I was told

They let us stay up real late to watch Ed Sullivan
We saw the Beatles two times that year
And Daddy would laugh
And say, "Look at that dumb hair!"
But I liked John
Man, I loved John

And I''d give up candy for Lent in the springtime
And Mama was proud
And so were the nuns
I thought it was okay to eat the candy
If the wrapper was on
I was just sucking out the juices
The juices of life

And if I knew then what I know now
I wouldn''t rush the growing old
I''d take the flu, the measles, and the blues
And I guess I''d do as I was told