I was a cowboy

I was a cowboy in my neighbourhood
spinning along the hedgerows
strawberry sherbert and gum were the tools of my trade
thought I'd grow handsome, funny and free
boys in the first grade
could never hold a candle to me
I was a cowboy

my mother took me in late '69
to the school of saint francis xaviour
pretty miss hollis was waiting to lead me away
her breasts were tender and, I confess,
I cried the whole day
hiding my face in the folds of her dress
I was a cowboy

soon I was grown and my branches were strong
and the halo of spring was round me
spilling my youth out in tissues on warm afternoons
I met some sweet girls, acted unkind
down by the sand dunes
striking the truth of life from my mind
I was a cowboy