(Johnny McCollum/Pal Rakes/Nelson Larkin)

Lookin' back on my younger days
Life was a play and the world a stage
Lust, love and greed were in my heart
I thought I had to play each part

I'd skip school and get in a fight
Had a different girl every Friday night
But it all came out in the wash
Dad always said boys will be boys

Mom and dad backed me through it all
Picked me up each time I'd fall
In fact they called it growing pains
And said all kids must try such things
They kept the faith and brought me through
I still make a mistake or two
Lookin' back on my younger days
Life was a play and the world a stage

I lost my driver's license twice
For speeding and running red lights
But like all kids I lived and learned
Play with fire and you'll get burned

I bucked the system day and night
Smoked cigarettes and tried the wine
Thought breakin' rules was bein' cool
It's clear to me now I was a fool

Mom and dad backed me through it all
Picked me up each time I'd fall
In fact they called it growing pains
And said all kids must try such things
They kept the faith and brought me through
I still make a mistake or two
Lookin' back on my younger days
Life was a play and the world a stage

Yeah everything turned out ok
Life was a play and the world a stage